Wetlands programs

[tuscaloosahunter]

Anyone have any knowledge of wetlands programs similar to CRP. I know they have one called WRP. What's the meat and potatoes of it? I've heard of some people getting money and assistance with returning a tract of land to wetlands.

Basically, I'm looking at 120 acres that could be a pretty good duck place if the proper work/money was put into it. Anyone know what is involved in doing one of these programs? How difficult to qualify? ETC....

[Bonecollecter1111]

call your local FSA office, they can give you the low down on it

[Ducklord]

i think you have to own the land for like 7 (may be 2) yrs before it can qualify for WRP. I am not certain of this, but i heard it in the past.

[Double R 2]

It's either on the X or it ain't.

[tuscaloosahunter]

It's either on the X or it ain't.

Huh???

[Double R 2]

wetlands program will not make it a duck magent, I've seen the complete opposite, have also seen places that had never likely consistently had ducks that were enrolled in wetlands program and sold as "duck land". A property either has a duck history or it doesn't.

[LawDawg]

wetlands program will not make it a duck magent, I've seen the complete opposite, have also seen places that had never likely consistently had ducks that were enrolled in wetlands program and sold as "duck land". A property either has a duck history or it doesn't.

ding ding ding.

[JaMak84]

Check PM

[DukGrl]

there's other acronyms that might help you more than WRP. EQUIP and WHIP depending on the land history...

if you'ns was Mississippihunter instead of tuscaloosahunter I'd tell you to call MDWFP and ask for the nearest Private Lands biologist or a waterfowl boy to come take a look. I don't know what Bamma has but you might want to check with your state agency.


Someone said FSA and that's a good start. NRCS / FSA tend to work out of the same offices and I'd start with NRCS. and they are the folks that do all the acronyms. But good luck because you've got to be in one of their priority areas to get much help.

[DanP]

CP23 IMO.

Jamak prolly sent you some good advice as well. WRP can be dissapointing unless very, very, very well planned and a lot of annual effort put in to it. If your looking at anything in the MS Delta shoot me a pm.

[alabamabronco]

EQUIP

[tuscaloosahunter]

wetlands program will not make it a duck magent, I've seen the complete opposite, have also seen places that had never likely consistently had ducks that were enrolled in wetlands program and sold as "duck land". A property either has a duck history or it doesn't.

Thanks. I'm well aware. This place is very near a refuge and borders land that consistently holds ducks. It doesn't hold ducks now because it doesn't hold much water. It's naturally low land bordered by a creek and farmland. All it needs to hold ducks is to be planted and flooded. I've done this before at other places by building a dike and providing a food source and I kill ducks consistently – even by Mississippi standards. 3 of us have a place that was identical to this place 4 years ago. We've hunted it twice this year and averaged 15 ducks per hunt. Bottom line – I believe if you've got a decent location, food and water you'll have birds.

I look for places that don't have a "great duck history" but offer lots of potential. The reason is pretty simple. If it's got great duck history the rich guys from Chattanooga and Hunstville will pay upwards of $5000 per acre for it. I can get this place for $1600 an acre and, if websites like this one are any indicator, kill more ducks than a lot of people. Also, I can probably turn around and sell it to one of those guys for $5000 an acre and make some money if I so choose.

I asked about the WRP program to potentially offset some of the cost of the work that has to be done to make it great waterfowl habitat.

[JaMak84]

Just wanted to let you know there are programs available other than WRP that can provide cost-share assistance for this type of work without easement issues. Check into CRP and WHIP as well. CRP and WHIP provide a lot more flexibility with what you can and can't do on the property as opposed to WRP. And like was mentioned earlier, as the rules stand today, you have to own the property a minimum of 7 years before its even eligible for WRP. You've got my number if you've got any questions.

[acornman]

JaMak has given you good advice. We work together and both of us deal with WRP quite a lot.

Shoot me a PM if you do not get what you need on the board here.


acornman