Duck Hunting Land Trust

[lovetogrouse]

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to understand people's appetite towards donating money to create a Washington-focused land trust aimed at acquiring waterfowl hunting lands for the sole purpose of creating habitat and providing more public hunting opportunities.

I'm inspired by success stories such as Samish Wildlife Area and Skagit Headquarters Unit. While they are by no means perfect (hunters have to deal with skybusters, trash, and competition for blinds), they are far better than nothing. Personally, I don't think I would have developed my love of duck hunting without lands like Samish.

I'm imagining something like the Western Rivers Conservancy, where the sole focus is to acquire, preserve, and then hand off hunting lands, ideally to the WDFW. Land development in the region is not going to stop, and there's no time like the present to start conserving land.

Love my idea? Hate it? I'd love to hear your feedback. Both in terms of its viability and the amount you think you or your friends would donate if such a thing existed.

[metlhead]

Meh, not really intetested. Just another organisation that would eventually create it's own agenda from the top. Might be a place to go but would be mediocre hunting at best without severly restricted hunt time which is similar to refuge hunting. Lame. Great idea to curb development though and help habitat. More private access to discourage leasing may work

[PatoLoco]

The Skagit chapter of the Washington Waterfowl Association tried to get something like this going about 15 years ago, which they called the Heritage Lands Program. You can do some googling and find out more about it. Long story short, get out your checkbook. And then keep it out. Farmland in northwest WA is expensive. Managing land for ducks is expensive. Finding farmland for sale in an acreage that makes sense, while also in a location that makes sense, is a tall order. Add to that the big money coming in with groups like Duck Camp.... you'd have some competition.

But I like the idea. The more food and managed areas for ducks the better. And even better if it is open to the public.