Have corn pond complexes affected your 2018 duck season?

[full choke]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

I saw the same video. And you are probably correct in your assumption on why it was pulled. Those ducks never left- just went to the other side of the complex that they weren't shooting.

[EWUeagles]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

https://www.landsofamerica.com/property/792-acres-in-Grant-County-Washington/5645023

Something like this?

[eastsidemallard74]

next year when the migration changes it will be a different story and mood point. And haven't all the Eagles Lake, Burbank ,etc. been doing this for year. This year just sucked for waterfowl in the Basin.

The first advertisements for corn pond hunting begin around the year 2002. As you can see from Eagle Lakes' own ads in the regs, the number and size and sophistication of corn ponds has increased every year since then as they compete with other corn pond complexes to hold birds.

The ads for Eagle Lakes in the regs show this progression (all direct quotes from the print regulations):

2006: "15 flooded corn ponds that provide unbelievable shooting"

2008: "Over 20 new flooded corn ponds"

2012: "Five New corn ponds to bring our total over 25!"

2014: "Over 30 flooded corn ponds for 14-15 season."

2018: "Over 40 flooded corn ponds for 18-19 season."

Notice a trend? I don't expect it to reverse.

What we are seeing right now is a corn pond arms race that will continue to increase with no cap in sight other than the amount of money private clubs are willing to spend...fueled by clients paying $350 a day for 7 ducks or private memberships costing thousands of dollars. The capital can pile up quick!

Whatever effect corn ponds have on public hunting right now, it will only be bigger in the future.

Here's how I fix this issue, I don't, vote for a new person to be paid off by big companies? Money rules EVERYTHING> Changes like this will never occur, always a grey area, and someones palm getting greased. That's the biggest issue above all.

[full choke]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

https://www.landsofamerica.com/property/792-acres-in-Grant-County-Washington/5645023

Something like this?

Rumor is the State is looking at buying that place.

[aaronoto]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

https://www.landsofamerica.com/property/792-acres-in-Grant-County-Washington/5645023

Something like this?

Yep, that's the place.  I remember hearing Rasor Ranch and/or Echo Valley when it came out. 

[EWUeagles]

next year when the migration changes it will be a different story and mood point. And haven't all the Eagles Lake, Burbank ,etc. been doing this for year. This year just sucked for waterfowl in the Basin.

The first advertisements for corn pond hunting begin around the year 2002. As you can see from Eagle Lakes' own ads in the regs, the number and size and sophistication of corn ponds has increased every year since then as they compete with other corn pond complexes to hold birds.

The ads for Eagle Lakes in the regs show this progression (all direct quotes from the print regulations):

2006: "15 flooded corn ponds that provide unbelievable shooting"

2008: "Over 20 new flooded corn ponds"

2012: "Five New corn ponds to bring our total over 25!"

2014: "Over 30 flooded corn ponds for 14-15 season."

2018: "Over 40 flooded corn ponds for 18-19 season."

Notice a trend? I don't expect it to reverse.

What we are seeing right now is a corn pond arms race that will continue to increase with no cap in sight other than the amount of money private clubs are willing to spend...fueled by clients paying $350 a day for 7 ducks or private memberships costing thousands of dollars. The capital can pile up quick!

Whatever effect corn ponds have on public hunting right now, it will only be bigger in the future.

Here's how I fix this issue, I don't, vote for a new person to be paid off by big companies? Money rules EVERYTHING> Changes like this will never occur, always a grey area, and someones palm getting greased. That's the biggest issue above all.

Isn't it better to fight than to give up before it starts? I agree it's an uphill battle especially when the people who make the rules hunt private corn ponds or get yearly free invites to them.

[EWUeagles]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

https://www.landsofamerica.com/property/792-acres-in-Grant-County-Washington/5645023


Something like this?

Rumor is the State is looking at buying that place.

I read some stuff on the Fuge about it but it was all hints and promises and I haven't heard anything new since.

[hunterednate]

There was a really well produced video on YouTube a couple years ago filmed at a private corn complex on Lower Crab Creek.  The video has since been pulled, somewhat odd since all the other videos in their series (not all hunting related) are still up.  They had some footage in that video that made Paul's Pond look small time...  It you weren't against corn complexes before you saw this video, you sure would be questioning them afterwards, which is why I'm guessing they pulled it down.  Absolutely unreal the number of ducks and geese this place drew in.

Yep, I know the video you're talking about. They called it "Echo Valley" in the video. It's been pulled and scrubbed. These clubs are EXTREMELY secretive about what they are doing...with good reason. If hunters could see the sheer numbers of birds on these complexes and their refusal to leave, it would change a lot of minds about the legality (and ethics) of hunting flooded corn.

I'll be surprised if Eagle Lakes continues to post the number of corn ponds in their ads every year given increasing public opposition to the practice.

[lokidog]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

[EWUeagles]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

I would agree but there are some that pay a lot more. I know of one club in the basin the buy is around 200k right now with yearly fees. Weird that they also have flooded corn. I know eagle lakes said something like they shot 150 limit in just one week this season and at 350 a person (not including lodging) that's $52,500 for a week. Ducks are big business and it isn't going away anytime soon.

[Stein]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

Similar price to a charter fishing trip and a bunch of middle class people do that.

For a guy making $300k+ a year, that is a great way to get out with your buddies and shoot some ducks.  Usually, guys making that kind of money don't have time to go out and figure it out for themselves, they would rather pay a guy and show up to someone that has done all the work.

The crazy part isn't the $300 a day for a couple of days, it is the number of people that pay $200k to buy in plus annual fees for a private club and then hunt it 2-3 days a year.

[eastsidemallard74]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

If you go only 5 times a year, beats buying a boat, gear,scouting, trying to find land,etc.... And majority of the time their good hunts with guides. Alot of time and money to get good hunting ground.

[Dhoey07]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

If you go only 5 times a year, beats buying a boat, gear,scouting, trying to find land,etc.... And majority of the time their good hunts with guides. Alot of time and money to get good hunting ground.

Depends if you want to go shooting or go hunting.....

[hunterednate]

next year when the migration changes it will be a different story and mood point. And haven't all the Eagles Lake, Burbank ,etc. been doing this for year. This year just sucked for waterfowl in the Basin.

The first advertisements for corn pond hunting begin around the year 2002. As you can see from Eagle Lakes' own ads in the regs, the number and size and sophistication of corn ponds has increased every year since then as they compete with other corn pond complexes to hold birds.

The ads for Eagle Lakes in the regs show this progression (all direct quotes from the print regulations):

2006: "15 flooded corn ponds that provide unbelievable shooting"

2008: "Over 20 new flooded corn ponds"

2012: "Five New corn ponds to bring our total over 25!"

2014: "Over 30 flooded corn ponds for 14-15 season."

2018: "Over 40 flooded corn ponds for 18-19 season."

Notice a trend? I don't expect it to reverse.

What we are seeing right now is a corn pond arms race that will continue to increase with no cap in sight other than the amount of money private clubs are willing to spend...fueled by clients paying $350 a day for 7 ducks or private memberships costing thousands of dollars. The capital can pile up quick!

Whatever effect corn ponds have on public hunting right now, it will only be bigger in the future.

I didn't mean to imply that paying to hunt is lame - I've hunted with outfitters myself from time to time and had a blast. You're paying for an experience, not just seven ducks. I get it.

What I was trying to point out is that there is big time money involved in the corn pond discussion. And as flooded corn complexes pile up more revenue (either through member fees or revenue from paying clients), a big portion of that revenue goes toward building more corn ponds, hardwiring in more ice eaters, etc.

Whatever effect these complexes have on local duck patterns and distribution right now, we can expect the impact to increase exponentially in the future.

[lokidog]

Who pays this kind of money to shoot ducks?  $250?  $350 a day? IMO that's just nucking futs....

Similar price to a charter fishing trip and a bunch of middle class people do that.

For a guy making $300k+ a year, that is a great way to get out with your buddies and shoot some ducks.  Usually, guys making that kind of money don't have time to go out and figure it out for themselves, they would rather pay a guy and show up to someone that has done all the work.

The crazy part isn't the $300 a day for a couple of days, it is the number of people that pay $200k to buy in plus annual fees for a private club and then hunt it 2-3 days a year.

Guess I'm just a cheap arse middle class guy and would rather not shoot a duck than pay that kind of money. I also don't pay that for fishing.  Now, if I could be given a pretty good guarantee of shooting 20 geese, maybe....