Click here for the 2011 Waterfowl Regulations.

What a year!! Simply a record season!! RBWA saw a new bag record as well as a substantial increase in the number of waterfowlers who hunted A zone during the 2011 year. This year, hunting in A zone was available until the very last day of the season - a rarity in these parts as we are usually frozen by the middle of December.


As always, welcome back to the website of the Rondeau Bay Waterfowler's Association!

However, the season was not without its difficulties. New hunters to Rondeau needed to be instructed in not destroying the cover on blinds, thus making it difficult for others to bag birds. High water, although a blessing to most, could result in the loss of many blinds, depending on ice conditions. Even #19 had water in the blind! Ice can easily move these structures depending on how breakup occurs.

An attempt was made (on short notice) to remove blinds. Due to short notice enough boats and strong  bodies were not available to carry this out on the one day available. If you would like to help remove blinds, please leave your contact info here.

A number of changes are in the winds for next year. These will be announced at the general meetings over the next two months. Come out and give your input and help make A zone hunting the best public hunting marsh in the province.

The March General Meeting (March 7, 2012) will also be our biannual elections. At least one executive position will be open for new blood, as I have chosen to step down as PR officer for the club.

The many changes to our operating system at the Waterfowl Office have brought an increase in the number of hunters to A zone! Welcome!!

Please remember the following:
a) In this day and age, bad news or perceived bad news, travels quickly. No birds should be cleaned in the Park or their carcasses left for others to find. Recently, someone left two carcasses at the boat launch. Of course, a complaint was registered at the Park Office. Be smart! What you do does affect every other waterfowler!
b) All waterfowlers are required to stop at the Waterfowl Office and check out when leaving the Park. Birds must be presented to the attendant for identification. Besides being a requirement of the MNR, it also allows us to know that everyone is safely out of the marsh.
c) Turn canoes over when finished. When they fill with water and freeze, it becomes impossible to look after them. Chipping the ice out usually results in a destroyed canoe. Leave it in great shape for the next waterfowler.
d) One of the advantages of hunting those blinds that require some walking is the presence of decoys. Imagine the disappointment one would feel to arrive at a blind and find the decoys had been thrown into the bag without properly wrapping the weights around them!! What you do does affect every other waterfowler! Take the time to clean the blind and wrap the decoys so the next waterfowler can have an enjoyable hunt. Investigation found that the cord had simply been wrapped around the body of the decoys. Use a "figure 8", and wrap them around the head and tail to avoid this problem.
e) If you are unsure of the location of a blind, ask!! No doubt someone going by that spot will lead you right to it!
f) If you would like to help retrieve blinds in the winter or put out blinds and decorate in the late summer, leave your name and a contact number at the Waterfowl Office.

The RBWA officers and directors were extremely busy during the off season. Proposals to increase the recreational activities for duck hunters take a lot of sweat and determination to bring them to fruition. Special thanks go out to many who have worked tirelessly to carry out these projects in conjunction with the regular activities RBWA oversees.

Marsh Updates

Water everywhere! As long as the summer is not too hot, we should once again have large areas of water in Long Pond. At the present time, there is no sand spit in front of Blind #10.

Phragmites, (plume grass) is an invasive species which threatens the cattail marsh habitat of Rondeau and other areas in Southwestern Ontario. Last year, RBWA donated $3000 to help eradicate this alien. If you travelled down by Blind #30, you saw large areas trampled as they prepared to spray and kill this invader. Since we have provided funds for the destruction of this weed, we would suggest hunters not use them for creating blinds.

Needs
We are in need of several canoes for use in the marsh to assist people in getting to blinds from the dike and in Long Pond. If you can help by donating one, or, if you know of one that is available for a good price, let us know by contacting a member of the executive or posting the info on the forum.

We also are looking for a source of cedars for decorating blinds. If you have some cedars trees we could use please contact any member of the executive.

Hunter Safety Courses

On the right side of this page, there is a button directing you to a number of hunting and gun safety courses. Ben Gignac, Greg Burke, and Wayne Passmore offer courses in various location around Southwestern Ontario. Click their name to see what they offer.

Noxious Plant -Giant Hogweed

Peter L. passed this info along regarding this invasive species. Read about and view it here.

DR. Scott Petrie and Waterfowl Research

Wonder what happens to your funds and tax dollars? Well, one recipient of that cash is Scott and his team who do research related to wildfowl activities. Yes; we have donated funds in the past to help with the tracking of a bluebill (lesser scaup –named Rondeau Bill). Follow the links below to check out what is going on!!

Bird Studies Canada  Research                              

Tracking Scaup

Species at Risk

Past Events

2011- RBWA "Jeff Bechard Memorial" Mentored Youth Hunt


The 2011 event made history!!  Our greatest number of participants (43) and our greatest number of young ladies and women (7)combined to make the 2011 event one to remember. RBWA would like to thank our sponsors, our mentors and the many individuals who helped to make this event such a success!

Read about the 2011 Event.

Pictures for the 2011 Youth Hunt can be found in our gallery.

Mentor Guidelines

For info on the 2010 event, follow the link.

Check out the video "Why Hunt?" by California Waterfowl.   

2011- Great Erie Salmon & Pickerel Hunt -Just Spectacular!

Well, the 31st Derby is now history!! Hats off to the many winners and "keep draggin' lures" to those who didn't make the leader board this year. A special thank you to all sponsors who make this derby possible. However, without anglers like you, it just wouldn't happen. Thanks for your support!! Note: All prizes must be picked up by Sept 1, 2011. Contact Rick Turner for missed Prizes.

Click here for the winner board.

Click here for the wrap up on the event.
For more pictures of the Award Ceremony, check out the gallery.

2011 RBWA Kids Fishing Derby
For more pictures of the 2011 Derby, check out the photo gallery.

2011 Wings of Spring -Click here.

2011 Chatham Sportsman Show! Follow link!

2010- 5th Annual RBWA Kids Fishing Derby

What a day! Even though it is history, the memories! Oh, the memories!
Wayne Izumi, pro fisherman and former resident of the Blenheim area, spent the entire day with us, leaving many smiles on young and old alike.  He left us with this comment:

 

"What a wonderful, well organized event!  It was a pleasure to be there and meet the kids, the RBWA volunteers and the many police officers!"

For the full story and pictures of the award winners, click here.

Check out the photo gallery for pictures of the day.

2010- Chatham Sportsman Show

Once again RBWA provided an opportunity for the public to participate in the outdoors by staffing a booth at the Chatham Sportsman's Show.

Winners of the RBWA Youth Duck Calling Contest
Jesse Harris 1st place
Ross Henderson 2nd place
Megan Bonneau 3rd place

Winners of the the RBWA Youth Goose Calling Contest 
Jesse Harris 1st place
Cole Russell  2nd place
Mackenzie Burke  3rd place
Alexis Russell  4th place
Winner of the superb Bennelli Super Nova 12 gauge shotgun In Max 4 camo for the 2010 show was Chris Zruna!
Winner of the late Valentine's gift (Framed picture -value $350.00) was Jamie Steward.
For more details click here.

2010- Wings of Spring

This program took place at Rondeau Park on Mar 20/21st, 2010. Members of RBWA helped with many events. RBWA paid the visitor pass for the first 25 cars participating each day!! As well, RBWA provided the canoe for the draw in the fall. Check out the photo gallery for pictures. More than 150 bird houses were built with the assistance of the RBWA members.

 RBWA "Jeff Bechard" Memorial Mentored Youth Hunt

On Oct 2,3rd, 2009, twenty-seven new hunters, their mentors and numerous supporters participated in this year's version of the Marsh Experience.  Nine new hunters bagged their first duck or goose during the event! Awesome!! People ask, "Why does RBWA do these types of things?" Take one look at the smiles on the faces of the participants and you'll know why we do it!! On top of it, duck hunter numbers have risen in Ontario for the first time in many years (based on the number of Migratory Bird Stamps purchased)!! I received this email form one of the father's whose son participated in the Youth Hunt:

"Again, thank you very much by contributing to my son’s development as a water fowler.  His remark, “that was a successful hunt” while leaving the park said it all.  Having these types of opportunities for new hunters gives them experience as well as the confidence to continue their interest in hunting ducks/geese. Not only do these events inspire youths to continue hunting, they also will help attract others who may bethinking about hunting water fowl.  I know of several young hunters I will hopefully be bringing to next years hunt. I think every father/mother/mentor/youth hunter who attended your event should be letting everyone know how rewarding and fun the youth day is." Randall and Bobby P.

As Chairman of this event, I want to thank the participants and their parents, the mentors, the cooks, and the financial supporters of these events! We need all of you. Thanks again!

Check out the gallery for pictures of the Education Day and the Youth Hunt. Set aside the second Friday and Saturday of the regular duck season in 2010 for the next mentored youth hunt. Watch the website for forms!

Safety Tip
I'm absolutely amazed at the communication carried out on cell phones. Although much of it is colourful and social, (Yes, Rick C. has one!) at times, it is important and necessary. Consider calls made while boating. Some are that friendly support (The kind Don O. needs!-"Rob, do you know where the big ones are!!"); while other calls are made in emergency situations.

What if your cell phone didn't work? A water-logged cell phone won't save the day. Make sure you place your cell in a waterproof bag before heading out! A ziploc works great!

 "Suggestions, Comments, Questions??"

Send all suggestions, comments, and questions to: Email

 "Thanks -Your Efforts Are Appreciated!"

If one listed the many volunteer hours which have accumulated this past year, astonishment would be your password! On behalf of the hunters in both "A" and "B" zone, on behalf of the many kids and their parents who took part in the fishing derbies, on behalf of all who learned what waterfowling is all about, on behalf of the other organizations whom we helped, I say "Thank You". Thanks for making Rondeau Bay one of the best public waterfowling locations in all of Canada by setting our blinds, creating the "Myslik Highway", and maintaining a safe, natural place to experience some of the best waterfowling in the province!

 

Coming Events of Note