Feeding wild ducks

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

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Staff member
I sure hope that's where mine and Thomas' efforts lead to. We went over to the food plot we worked on this summer to see how it's progressing and were pleased. Both the WGF sorghum and japanese millet have nice heads on them and more on the way. I got my seed in about the time our drought broke and we've had a lot of rain since, almost too much as the low spots in the field have about 4-6" of water in it. Thanks to all of those who lended your advice, especially to Mark Schupp who spent a lot of time on the phone talking about planting strategies. Time to sit back and see how the ducks like it.

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Eric,

I can see why you are pleased, looks like a bumper crop. I sure hope you and Thomas can shoot a bumper crop of ducks for your efforts.
 
That's looking excellent Eric! I know that Thomas has had a blast helping out all summer. Looking forward to pictures during the season of the ducks you all see and take there.

Scott
 
That is a great project Eric and I hope your work bears the fruit you seek. I think it is pretty cool to put all the time and effort that you have into this and watch it come along. Can't wait to see your photos a little later in the season.
 
Very nice Eric, I made the mistake of not planting my own game crops, a retired farmer offered, forgot to put slug bait down grr grr. Got one or two drives that could do with some of yours. If I was a duck I'd move right in. Dont forget to show us the ducks stacked up for landing, like at heathrow airport.

Hard work pays..
 
Looks super, a lot of chow there. Working the land and producing a crop is a great feeling. I'm no farmer and I expect if my life depended on it it would be a lot less fun, but damn, nice plot there.

T
 
Thanks for the kind comments. I dug out on of the pics from the summer just after we bush hogged the field for the first time in years. Below is a before and after shot.




 
It may all come together after all!! Happy to help, add my .02 worth and to be a sympathetic ear but, if it doesn't happen the first years don’t be disappointed. My gurus for management have always maintained that it takes 3generations of birds to truly know what to expect. I had one of my biggest down years for bird use right after my first big successful year. You can only set the table, Mother Nature has plenty of other factors to throw at you. Here’s hoping she throws a hanging curveball!!
 
Eric,

That is great! I'm sure you and Thomas were very satisfied the first time you saw how well the crops hav grown. You should have some fun hunts this season.

Tom
 
Eric,

Looks great. Hope you guys have some bang up shoots. Any chance you can post pictures of your water control structure and provide some insight in how you plan to flood the field?

Thanks.
 
Andrew there is no water control structure for this field. It's one of those low spots that floods with winter rains and dries out in the summer. I have only observed this field for one year so I'm curious to see how the water fluctuates. A guy down the road I know says it always floods in the winter.
 
Your going to need some scarecrows to keep the ducks from swarming it like locusts. I bet you can find a couple volunteers for that duty on this site.
 
Wow, very cool. It's wonderful when the labor bears "fruit".....figuratively speaking. ;) Nice looking area.

I've always gotten a kick out of the fella commenting on how great a fellas farm looked and how nature has been good to him. Then the farmer comments.... well, yes, nature has been good to me but you should have seen this place when nature had it all to herself. ;)
Lou
 
Looks like a great stand, Eric! Hope that you left an area fallow and mowed for them to get started in and for decoys. I think one thing that can often be forgotten is that you have to show water as well!

Hope it pays off in spades, spoons and green this winter!
 
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