Friday, September 24, 2010

Ducks Unlimited Launches Cutting-Edge Waterfowl Migration Map For 2010 Season

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ─ The best way to find waterfowl during the fall migration is to ask those who are constantly scanning the skies for south-bound flocks - waterfowl hunters. Ducks Unlimited is offering the opportunity to access migration information from hunters all across the country through DU's 2010 Waterfowl Migration Map, the most in-depth and widely-used online waterfowl migration mapping tool.

A combination of cutting-edge technology and word-of-mouth communication among duck hunters and waterfowl enthusiasts, the DU Migration Map is the most comprehensive waterfowl migration map on the web.

"The migration map is one component of DU's 'Opening Day' website, the ultimate waterfowl hunter's resource aimed at getting waterfowl hunters geared up for the season," said Anthony Jones, DU's web director. "We received more than 10,000 reports for the migration map last year, which greatly benefited waterfowl hunters in their scouting and planning efforts. During the off-season, we used feedback from supporters to improve the map. The result is a more powerful and innovative asset that duck hunters can't afford to miss."

The migration map allows users to report waterfowl activity and hunting conditions in their local areas. Visitors loading the map will then see an aerial view of North America with colored markers scattered across it. Each marker represents user-submitted reports with color-coded waterfowl concentrations. Hunters can click on any marker to view the detailed reports, and in some cases, see aerial maps of their favorite hunting spots. Waterfowl enthusiasts are also encouraged to submit reports and can use the map to follow the annual migration.

The 2010 Waterfowl Migration Map includes features like detailed reporting, weather forecasts, improved imagery and navigation, a full-screen map, e-mail notifications for reports submitted from personally selected locations, historical data based on reports from throughout the season, and a clear activity scale showing pre-migration, peak-migration and post-migration activity

"We're always looking for ways to improve our technology to better serve our members," said Robby Parker, DU's manager of web development. "As waterfowl hunters and enthusiasts use the map, we will continue to enhance this and other online applications to provide maximum value to our members and supporters."

DU's 2010 Waterfowl Migration Map is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, exclusively on the Ducks Unlimited website.

Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.