Background: Since 1990 Colorado has required a state waterfowl stamp to hunt waterfowl. Since inception the cost of the stamp has been $5. The proceeds from the stamp fund important conservation work in Colorado. Currently consideration is being given to increasing the cost of the stamp to provide funding for important conservation work in Colorado and on breeding areas in Canada where many of Colorado’s waterfowl are produced. Unfortunately, funds used previously by the Colorado Division of Wildlife to fund conservation work in Canada are no longer available so alternative sources must be found. Contributions sent to Canada for waterfowl conservation work on key breeding areas are matched 1:1 by grassroots funds raised by Ducks Unlimited Volunteers and then those funds are matched again by the North American Wetland Conservation Act monies plus additional funds from DU Canada. As a result, funds contributed to Canada by states like Colorado are leveraged 5 times over to achieve results that benefit Colorado waterfowl hunters; $100,000 dollars sent to Canada translate into $500,000 worth of conservation for the ducks. Additionally, Ducks Unlimited has received $1.2 million of proceeds from the Colorado State Duck Stamp since 2002 for work habitat work on public management areas in Colorado. However, the cost of doing all conservation work, in Colorado and in Canada, has increased every year and the current stamp proceeds have not kept pace. Less of the important work that needs to be done is able to be funded by stamp proceeds and that is why a stamp increase is being considered.
Your opinions on this issue are important to Ducks Unlimited. Please take the time to complete the 12 questions below to provide your thoughts.
Q1. Have you hunted waterfowl during the last 5 years? Yes No
Q2. I do most of my waterfowl hunting on: Public land Private land
Q3. I primarily hunt: Ducks Geese
Q4. Over the last 5 years, about how many days did you usually hunt waterfowl in a year:
A. 5 or fewer days B. Between 6 and 10 day C. Between 11 and 20 day D. Between 21 and 30 day E. More than 30 days
Q5. In the 2008/09 hunting season, I harvested:
<10 ducks/geese 10-30 ducks/geese >30 ducks/geese
Q6. How important is waterfowl hunting to you?
A. It is my most important recreational activity. B. It’s one of my most important recreational activities. C. It’s no more important than my other recreational activities. D. It’s less important than my other recreational activities. E. It’s one of my least important recreational activities.
Q7. When did you start hunting waterfowl?
A. Before 1970 B. 1970-1979 C. 1980-1988 D. 1989-1996 E. 1997 or after
Q8. How do you feel about the following statements concerning an increase in the state state migratory bird (duck) stamp?
(1-Strongly Agree; 2-Agree; 3-Neutral; 4-Disagree; 5-Strongly Disagree)
Q9. How would the use of the funds generated from an increase in the cost of the duck stamp influence your support for the increase?
Q10. Would you be more likely to support an increase in the cost of the duck stamp if conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited were supportive of such an increase?
Yes No
Q11. If Ducks Unlimited supported an increase in the state Duck Stamp, where the proceeds would be used solely for waterfowl habitat in Colorado and on the breeding grounds where many of Colorado’s waterfowl are produced, would be you more or less likely to support DU?
More Likely Less Likely
Q12. Do you believe that Ducks Unlimited should be actively involved in a leadership role in policy issues, like the State Duck Stamp, that have important implications for waterfowl and waterfowl habitat in CO?
