When you start looking for investment in hunting property, especially for the duck club, what are some of the main properties of the property that you need to focus on in order to create this basic place for waterfowl? Ducks are creatures of habit and habitat! American Land Company has collected the following tips and questions to ask when searching for the next waterfowl property.
1. Water. This key ingredient is crucial in most areas for successful duck hunting. Ducks love water. And you need to either be able to provide them with this water, or have a permanent source of water on your land: river, stream, lake, etc. Most duck clubs get their water through pumping, either through a well, or from a re-lift pump or pump. camel type. If the land you are selling does not yet have the means to get water, you will need to pay additional capital costs, such as; drilling a well and installing a submersible pump; or buying a pump with a pto pump and either a tractor or a power unit to start it. Any scenario is likely to work in the tens of thousands of dollars.
2. Food This is another obvious but important ingredient for large duck hunting clubs. Most waterfowl hotspots already have food, because the land is either a working farm (or has well-developed food sites), or a wetland or a swamp. If it is a working farm, then who will farm it? If the answer is NOT, you should talk to several farmers and figure out a way to rent it so that the farmer can make some money and you can get some food for the ducks. Survey several different farmers, ask for references, and then talk to these landowners to find out how their experience was with any potential farmer. Make sure you get a signed lease if you rent a farm to someone! I can tell you by experience, ducks LOVE maize and rice, so if these crops can be successfully grown in your area, then by all means plant them. If the property is a wetland or marshland, you can contact a local NRCS agent to help you make recommendations for proper water management. These are experts and they will help you.
3. Rest. This is a feature that is often overlooked, but it is very important for a good duck hunt. All water birds need time and a place to rest. Take a cue from the Arkansas Game and Fishing Commission and the Missouri Water Management Authority, they stop hunting at about noon in most of their respective public hunting areas. Nevertheless, these public hunting grounds continue to offer some of the best duck hunting grounds in the United States annually and annually, despite the fact that they are also among the most difficult hunters. What for? Since they have rest areas, they stop hunting in the middle of the day, and they provide cover. Since it is difficult for many land owners to actually realize, it is necessary if you want to have a permanent good club of ducks.
4. Cover. Waterfowl love to “feel” safe, and the lid allows them to be so safe. Examples of good coverage are: standing corn or any uncircumcised crops, uncut grass, bagels, willows, trees and a brush, dams for wind breaks, etc. The cover can be tight and impenetrable, for example, thick forests or wetlands with ketting or soft, for example, a dam to break the wind. But the bottom line is that if you give ducks some type of cover, they will use your property much more often.
5. Pressure. Pretty much prey on this area? Or from other hunting facilities or public hunting grounds? Despite this, it can be a trick 22 if the area receives a lot of hunting pressure. On the one hand, if it is heavily hunted, there is a reason: there are many birds that use this area. This means that this area is "in flyway". It's good! But, on the other hand, it also means that you will encounter pressured birds, which leads to some difficult hunts. As for me, I would prefer that there are many hunting clubs in the area, because I know that the ducks will be there when autumn comes, and I can manage my property so that the birds use my place.
6. Size. It really depends on you, but, obviously, the more your property, the more difficult and expensive it will be to support. Think about who will do most of the work on your feet and what kind of help you can count on. I can assure you, correctly keeping and managing any hunting property, but especially a hunting club with a waterfowl is OTHER WORKBACK! So do not bite off more than you can handle.
7. Strengthen capital. Already built livas? Are they in good shape? What about pipes and gates? Does the property come with equipment such as tractors, pumps, boats, boats? What about curtains? All this must be considered when buying the potential hunting property of a duck. Remember that this is a laborious investment.
8. Utilities and housing. Is there electricity in the property? How about water, whether from rural water or good? If it is from a well, can you consider checking it for water quality? Does the property have a place to stay or to accommodate a camper? How far are the nearest hotels? Again, these are important considerations. The last thing you want to do is drive an hour to the motel after work all day in the heat and water with snakes and mosquitoes. If the property is not owned, maybe there is an old farm house that you could rent? Or maybe a farmer near water and electricity that will allow you to connect a camper?
The only thing to be careful about is the “build and come” theory. I do not say that it is impossible with ducks, because it is - I did it. But, if you are going to follow this route, make sure that the property is located on a flyway and has some kind of access to water. These 2 ingredients are required!
Another possibility is to enter the hunting grounds before buying. See if you can rent this land during the season with the option to purchase? Even if you need to pay a premium price for rent, it is much cheaper than knowing that you have invested in a duck hunting club to which ducks do not come! Do not be afraid to ask questions - local traders, farmers - cooperators, trailers, sporting goods stores - all of these places can be rich in local knowledge.
If you go through your checklist and everything is fine, then it is time to pull the trigger (pun). Developing and maintaining your own duck hunting property is a very enjoyable job. It is also a big job and it requires a lot of money. But then, as my dad likes to say so ... "We make memories"!
