The waterfowl investigations pittman-robertson project (project) was created in 1948

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8) awarded the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) $619,787 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This Formula Grant funds the Waterfowl Investigations Pittman-Robertson Project, an ongoing initiative established in 1948 that provides critical scientific data on waterfowl populations in California.

CDFW delivers comprehensive waterfowl monitoring and management services through this award, including Pacific Flyway-coordinated aerial surveys, trapping, marking, and harvest surveys designed to assess species population status, abundance, trends, recruitment, mortality, and distribution. The data collected informs annual harvest recommendations, environmental compliance measures, and wildlife management decisions while supporting restoration planning and stimulating private wetland habitat ownership and management. CDFW project staff also administer the Duck Stamp dedicated account. These services support California's role as host to the densest concentrations of wintering waterfowl in North America while generating scientific information essential for evidence-based conservation and regulatory decision-making.

California hosts thedensest concentrations of wintering waterfowl in north america and supports substantial breeding populations ofsome waterfowl species. Scientific information on waterfowl abundance, trends, recruitment, mortality, anddistribution is needed to conserve the waterfowl resource, inform harvest regulations and restoration andplanning needs as well as stimulates private wetland habitat ownership management and substantial economicactivity. This scientific information is collected by california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) projectstaff through a series of pacific flyway-coordinated aerial surveys, trapping, marking, and harvest surveys. Thedata collected is analyzed to understand species population status and to make informed management decisions.annual harvest recommendations and environmental compliance are made to be consistent with population objectives.however, the administrative process for the development of draft harvest recommendations and regulations will notbe charged to the grant. In addition, project staff manage the duck stamp dedicated account.