A call for hunters to help with water

I’ve heard white-fronted geese the last few days and glanced at two sandhill cranes this afternoon just east from 99. I was headed in the direction of Butte College. Bird migration is in full swing. The big shows of snow geese and endless ducks are perhaps six weeks away. Hawks and eagles coming. Also the sandpiper types. Millions of many kinds, soon. The time is near when our Central Valley becomes wild again. Becomes wet. Water is scarce.

I know the refuges will try their best to get water. So much of the rest of the valley is rice. I hope they can flood some fields. We are so fortunate for rice. Loads of habitat and landing zones they create. Many lease to hunters. These folks, and their taxes and organizations, pay for habitat both here and in the north. There would be less of much without rice and waterfowl hunting.

What’s perked my interest is the thought that duck and geese hunters, many being from other points and often quite wealthy, might get more involved this fall for the sake of their sport and, again, habitat. Can they buy water? I would think that some cat who can afford the club fee can also spend a little more on making a place soggy. Good for the masses.

— DC Durniak, Chico