Whats yalls thought on WRP for ducks?

[peewee]

A was talking with a buddy of mine the other day and we began talking about wrp for ducks. Whats yall thoughts on it. Is it truly helping the ducks, I know places where all that is standing there in the wrp fields during the season is cucleburs (however its spelled). Now these holes do provide some good resting areas but as far as food its not there. Do you think the majority of wrp landowners have enough time to work these areas to promote good moist soil plants for ducks.

Also other species, such as quail and turkeys. It is no secrete these species need disked area and mowed areas for feeding and brood rearing. Do you believe these areas provide enough of that, with all the restictions the wrp easement it isn't like the land owner can go into there and enhance the land for the species.

I know there any many pros and cons about the wrp, just wanted to hear what yall thought about it.

[Don Miller]

Most of the WRP land in our area is marginal farm land that was cleared and drained in the 1960's to plant soybeans. In other word, ideal duck habitat. The only draw back to buying land that has been put in WRP is that the previous land owner has pocketed all the gov. money and a person who buys it can't make many impovements to the land such as turning the dirt on it to plant food plots. If the buyer is going to live another 75 years, he may get an idea of what the land once looked like back in 1950. Me personally, I think the WRP is way to restrictive. In the long run (25+ years) it will be beneficial to wildlife. I just wouldn't want the hassle of dealing with the government. They are suject to do as they see fit without your approval.

[Super-X]

I think there are better programs....
check with local NRCS guys for specifics
NRCS -natural resources conservation service
used to be ASCS

[Hammer]

Interesting subject...Agreed that in 20-25 years the oaks should be dropping acorns and the habitat should be excellent for ducks but in the meantime are we losing our flyway to Louisiana where rice is a major player?

In MS our rice ground went into catifsh ponds and our bean ground is going into WRP...In LA, their rice ground is staying in rice and more cotton ground is going to rice while the bean ground is going to WRP...

I definitely believe our ducks spend less time in the MS Delta during an average year now than they used to and that LA has benefitted from this...

Another question is how much of the WRP ground will have oaks versus ash, cottonwood, willow, sycamore and other fast growing stuff that comes in naturally and that doesnt benefit ducks as much as oaks?

[walt333ms]

years ago I put 80 acres in CRP..10 YEAR PROGRAM
..., when we worked up the contract we put in for 7 acres of food plots thru-out the 80...also planted plum trees, lespedesa, and other ground crops for quail and rabitt...
so the cost to me was 45x7x10years..
3150.00 plus the lost acres of ash trees that the 7 acres would have made.....

but now you have 30 foot tall ash trees, lotsof sweet gum, some oak...and lots of briars, vines, cover, ....holds lots of game.....will continue to plant food plots..and watch trees grow..

uncle walt and sam..