If you’re a member of The Duck Hunters Organization, then a retriever-themed edition of Delta Waterfowl magazine is cupped and committed to your mailbox!

The Summer 2025 Issue of Delta Waterfowl magazine is sure to satisfy all who believe that hunts are better enjoyed and lives are better lived with a duck dog at heel.

A stunning cover image by Tom Martineau sets the stage for the annual tribute, brilliantly capturing a stately black Lab clutching an almost-too-perfect pintail. And with the retriever content complemented by deep dives into Delta’s groundbreaking new research projects, the summer issue delivers a compelling blend of heart and science.

“Duck dogs represent all that’s pure and good about waterfowling—loyalty, drive, joy just to be there,” said editor Kyle Wintersteen. “This issue celebrates the best buddies a duck hunter ever had, while also highlighting something our retrievers would fully support: Delta’s mission to put more ducks in the fall fight—and over your decoys—through groundbreaking waterfowl research.”

Featured stories include a photo essay, “Look of Loyalty,” by award-winning photographer Mark Atwater. The visual treat conveys the depth of emotion apparent in our duck dogs’ eyes, which ply our souls while baring theirs.

A touching story, “A Teal for Ruby” by Delta’s senior manager of communications, Paul Wait, reflects on a golden retriever pup’s vibrant spirit, a heartbreaking tragedy, and finding new hope from the ashes.

Additionally, Delta communications director Bill Miller’s “Duck Dogs” column will take you inside the mind of a pup, revealing new research into how the puppy brain responds to training, socialization, and other cues. A full-page illustration in the “First Pass” section will walk you through the basics of training for blind, over-water retrieves. The issue’s “Delta Quiz” will help you find your dog training superpower. And editor Kyle Wintersteen’s back-page column asks a thought-provoking question: “Do All Dogs Really Go to Heaven?”

Shifting gears, the issue also leans heavily into Delta’s tireless effort to produce ducks and secure the future of duck hunting. In “Elevating Mallard Production,” Wintersteen explores the evolution of Delta’s Hen Houses—efficient nesting structures proven to greatly enhance mallard production—through decades of rigorous research and lots of trial and error. Then, in “Data-Driven Duck Production,” Delta’s waterfowl scientist, Dr. Chris Nicolai, debuts an ambitious roster of 2025 research projects—all centered around boosting duck production and creating new opportunities for hunters.

Need a few pointers for pressured birds? Field editor Brian Lovett’s “Gritty Tactics for Public Ducks” offers a masterclass in perseverance and strategy for hard-hunted waters.

You also won’t want to miss “Opportunities Aplenty for Islanders,” in which Wait reports on Delta’s role in adding a whopping 29 days to Prince Edward Island’s duck season through lifting a Sunday hunting prohibition. It’s a case study in how Delta’s Defending the Hunt program fights for duck hunters anytime, anywhere.

As always, the summer issue includes a robust lineup of reader-favorite columns: Shotgunning, Strategies, Duckology, and Waterfowl Chef to help you get the most from your waterfowl season.

The only way to receive Delta Waterfowl magazine is to join The Duck Hunters Organization. If you’re a member, thank you for your support. Your retriever-packed Summer 2025 issue arrives soon!

To join Delta Waterfowl, call (888) 987-3695 or visit deltawaterfowl.org/memberships/.

Delta Waterfowl Foundation is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of duck hunting in North America. Visit deltawaterfowl.org.