Look for the drakes!  Voluntary Restraint (VR) is a Delta program that promotes and fosters a quality ethic amongst waterfowlers.  VR is based on the premise that in most duck species, drakes outnumber hens, and that focusing the harvest on drakes and passing on hens may have the potential to improve the number of hens returning to the breeding grounds each spring.

Delta Waterfowl asks hunters to focus harvest on drakes, especially among sensitive species like pintails, canvasbacks, and bluebills.

Top VR Standards:

1. Focus your harvest on      drakes of all species, not just mallards. Get to know the different species with our Duck ID Profiles.
2. Practice good field      identification techniques: learn to differentiate between species and      sexes in flight, position yourself with the sun at your back, use decoys,      and wait for birds to come within range. Focus on identification of birds      at all times, especially during low light conditions. Test your identification skills with our Duck Quizzes
3. Make every possible effort      to avoid losses. You can greatly increase the number of ducks retrieved by      hunting with a well-trained dog.
4. Lead by example. Take a      young person duck hunting, and help them improve their identification      skills. Find answers to frequently asked questions from waterfowlers      like you.
5. Support waterfowl      conservation efforts by joining organizations such as Delta Waterfowl, and      other waterfowl organizations.