NEWS AND INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Flyway Federation Appoints Michael “Duke” Lowrie as Managing Director
Lake Charles, LA — December 30,2025
Flyway Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael “Duke” Lowrie as its new Managing Director, effective January 1st.
Lowrie brings decades of experience in waterfowl conservation, organizational leadership, and sportsmen-focused advocacy to Flyway Federation. He is widely recognized for his work with Delta Waterfowl during the early 2000s, where he played a meaningful role in advancing the organization’s mission and strengthening its national presence.
During his tenure with Delta Waterfowl, Lowrie served in leadership capacities that helped guide strategic direction and expand outreach. His work emphasized habitat restoration, the long-term sustainability of waterfowl populations, and the promotion of responsible, ethical hunting practices across North America. In addition to on-the-ground conservation initiatives, Lowrie was a strong advocate for education and public engagement, helping build awareness and support for waterfowl conservation among hunters, landowners, and the broader public.
“Duke Lowrie’s background, integrity, and passion for conservation align perfectly with the mission and values of Flyway Federation,” said Flyway Federation leadership. “His experience working within one of the most influential waterfowl organizations in North America gives him a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing modern waterfowl management.”
As Managing Director, Lowrie will oversee Flyway Federation’s strategic initiatives, organizational growth, partnerships, and policy-focused conservation efforts. His leadership comes at a critical time as Flyway Federation continues to advocate for science-based waterfowl management, fair-chase hunting ethics, and reforms that protect migratory bird populations and the traditions tied to them.
“I’m honored to step into this role with Flyway Federation,” said Lowrie. “The future of waterfowl conservation depends on principled leadership, transparency, and a willingness to challenge systems that no longer serve the resource. I look forward to working alongside Flyway Federation’s board, members, and partners to protect migration, habitat, and the hunting heritage we all value.”
Flyway Federation remains committed to uniting hunters, conservationists, and stakeholders across North America to defend migratory birds and ensure a sustainable future for waterfowl and the landscapes they depend on.
For more information about Flyway Federation and it’s mission, visit www.flywayfederationusa.com.
Media Contact:
Flyway Federation
Email: info@flywayfederationusa.com
Website: www.flywayfederationusa.com
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today called on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Brian Nesvik to study the impact of unfair “legal baiting” on duck migration.
“Legal baiting,” an unsportsmanlike practice in which cornfields are needlessly flooded to attract waterfowl, comes at the expense of southward communities—particularly those in Louisiana. Since the 1990s, policy changes have opened the door to more widespread cornfield flooding, and Louisiana has suffered a massive downturn in its mallard harvest.
“In 1998, Congress enacted the Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act, which repealed the strict liability standard that previously governed federal waterfowl baiting violations. In 1999, USFWS . . . removed the enforcement mechanism that previously restricted the growth of hunting over intentionally flooded standing crops, particularly corn. As a result, Louisiana has witnessed a significant decline in annual waterfowl migration since the late 1990s,” Kennedy explained in a letter to Nesvik.
“Mallard harvest in the state of Louisiana dropped 95% from 1999-2021, more than any other state in the Mississippi Flyway. In Missouri, the mallard count rose from 280,000 in 1999 to 550,000 in 2016 . . . [T]he data indicates that mallards are concentrating and stopping in regions where the manual flooding of corn has become widespread,” the senator wrote.
“Unlike rice, which requires flooding as part of its natural growth cycle, there is no agronomical justification for flooding corn. Put simply, the intentional flooding of standing crops has enabled an unsportsmanlike practice, weakened long-standing protections for migratory birds, and adversely impacted waterfowl populations in Louisiana,” Kennedy added.
“This trend has troubling implications for the future overall health of duck populations, particularly considering the growing threat posed by avian flu, as noted by a research biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey: ‘The basic idea is that the more you concentrate animals into a small habitat, there’s probably a greater opportunity for transmission between individuals, and then the greater chance for disease spread within waterfowl,” he continued.
“Therefore, I urge the USFWS to initiate a formal study to evaluate the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behavior, wintering distributions, and associated economic outcomes in the Mississippi Flyway. Ensuring fair access to waterfowl hunting for current and future generations of Americans is a shared priority, and I appreciate your attention to this important matter,” Kennedy concluded.
View Kennedy’s full letter here.