Hasn't this been a long winter!! And a cold spring! It seems
forever since the colour "green" has been visible!
Once that "green" starts, a myriad of other colours appear!!
As always, welcome back to the website
of the Rondeau Bay Waterfowlers' Association!
Upon exiting the Park in late April,
 my attention was drawn
to a burst of brilliant plumage along the western edge of
McLean's Marsh. Coasting along looking for food, were five
drake shovellers dressed to the nines! Too bad they don't taste as good as they
look!! In the marsh itself, while removing blinds and
canoes, we happened upon two goose nests
in #7 Pond!! One can't miss that "tuxedo look" as the
ganders snuck along the top of the water, their necks extended.
Reminded me of gents at a Prom - with their ties too tight!!
A Glorious Horizon!
Various colours will certainly be evident over the next few months
as we prepare and carry out the following major events: the RBWA Kids
Fishing Derby on May 23; the Great Erie Salmon and
Pickerel Hunt beginning on June 27th; the RBWA Annual Dinner and Auction;
and the RBWA & Delta Waterfowl Youth Education day and Marsh Experience. If you can help
with any of these events, it would be appreciated.
Check out the links below for more details.
In this issue check out:
RBWA KIDS FISHING DERBY
Great Erie Salmon &
Pickerel Hunt
Are you ready for summer fun? Salivating at the chance to feel
the throb of a Lake Erie salmon, steelhead, or walleye on the end of your rod? Looking forward
to that golden brown plate of fillets? Made the decision
about eating the prize fish or sending it to the taxidermist?
Well, it’s almost here!
The 39th Annual Great Erie Salmon and Pickerel Hunt starts
on June 27th and finishes on July 12th (2009). Tournament sponsors,
the Rondeau Bay Waterfowlers Association and Barney’s Boats
predict another fabulous season on the crystal blue waters of Lake Erie.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Three categories of tickets are available:
a) Individual tickets are $25.00 per person valid for the entire derby.
b) One day tickets are $10.00 per person.
c) Family tickets which are $50.00 and valid for the entire derby. For the
purpose of this entry form, a “family” is defined as a “couple” married or
common-law and children who share a common residence and also includes the
natural children of either parent or grandparent. Two generations may be named
on a family ticket. Parents and children OR grandparents and grandchildren.
Participants are restricted to
angling only in the area from Bar Point in the West, to
Port Glasgow in the North East and the International
Border to the South.
All rules are printed on the tickets.
For information regarding ticket purchases and prize structure,
click here!
RBWA Annual Dinner and Auction!
A special thanks to all who participated in the dinner, auction and
ticket buying frenzy that is the RBWA Annual Dinner and Raffle!
It proved to be our best dinner to date!! A very special thanks to all our sponsors!
Without your support we could not carry out our many projects!
Our chefs and crew out did themselves with a superb meal; everyone was fed very quickly.
Check out the Special Events section for pictures of the event.
See you there on Sat, Aug 29, 2009!! Get a ticket from
a member of the executive!
RBWA and Delta Waterfowl New Hunter Program
The Waterfowler Education Day will take place on Sunday, September 20th
at the Jim and Mary Lou Kominek farm near Morpeth.
The New Hunter Marsh Experience will take place on the second Saturday
(Oct.2nd and 3rd)of the waterfowl season.
Helpers are needed for both days. Watch for more details as forms will be posted in August.
Check out the links for related info and pictures from our previous Youth Hunts.
Mentor Guidelines
Youth Hunt Itinerary
Project Updates!
Let’s have a look at what's been happening at the
Marsh!
Well, the blinds have been put to sleep, along with the
canoes and decoys! That hibernation will last until Aug
and Sept when we once again set them up for their annual
rites! Thanks to all who helped clean up the marsh and
put them away. Special thanks to John and his wind
talking skills!! Maneuvering a blind on a 14' boat in 25
click winds was quite a feat!! It was a highlight of the
morning -- one of several!
I am pleased to inform our readers that there was good
water throughout the marsh - -more than I've seen in
quite awhile-more than last spring. A fabulous
number of ducks and geese were present in the marsh. In
fact, there were many pairs of nesting geese.
The total number of geese amazed all of us! Pairs were
all over the marsh and on the Bay. Given that the late
hunting season for geese was basically a bust, even if
you could get out, and that there is so much more water,
I would expect a bumper crop!
Perhaps the MNR would consider reinstating the late
goose season and taking off the last week of the
extended duck season. Many more people hunt geese than
ducks when you compare the last week of the duck season to
the late winter goose season.
Unfortunately, we did see a pair of mute swans which
appeared to be nesting in the marsh around the #11 area.
We don't need them!!
Last year RBWA and Delta Waterfowl placed nesting boxes
around the Rondeau Bay Area. Delta reports that 70%
of their nesting boxes in the McGeachy's pond area had
been used as wood duck nesting sites. Great accolades to all who were involved!
At present, data on wood duck nest boxes in other locations are not available.
However, the number of woodies certainly seems to be increasing!
Reminder
By September, 2009 all operators of a motorized boat will need their Boater's license.
Don't be caught without it, as I'm sure any excuse to fatten the province's finances will be
used!
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!
Gobble,
Gobble
Many RBWA members enjoy chasing and eating that large, elusive game bird! Fortunately, "large"
is in the "eye of the beholder".
Everyone is pulling for Peter L. to get something bigger than the 8 lb jake he shot last year!!
Good luck to all!
"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!
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!!
LPWWF Fall Newsletter
Tundra Swan Tracking
Winter Resource Use by Diving Ducks
Tracking Scaup
2008 Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada
recently published by Canadian Wildlife Service.
Coming Events of Note
May 23 --RBWA Kids Fishing Derby
June 27-July 12 --Great Salmon and Pickerel Hunt
Aug 29 --RBWA Annual Dinner and Auction
Oct 2-3 -- RBWA Youth Hunt
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All comments and suggestions are welcome.
Contact admin. 
Remember: Bring a kid hunting and BE SAFE!
See you at the marsh!
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