All good points Phil but in my post I didn't cover everything. We built ponds to allow us introduce the ducks where there was no pond previously, we have it pretty secure, fenced, electric fence at mink height and fox height, away from public access on a farm. Obviously ducks will fly and we have two large ponds within a mile where these ducks usually go. These ponds are open to the public and we don't shoot on these ponds, in fact any ducks that are shot are usually shot on the local rivers. There are also two other gun clubs adjoining ours who also buy in young ducks and to the same as ourselves. The duck population has plenty of secure and safe breeding areas, other than the ponds we put in. Vermin control is always ongoing,larsen traps,mink traps,fox drives etc. To be honest, very few get shot at, never mind killed and eaten. It is nice to see them on the water, though. We also release pheasants and have built two pens for that purpose, plus we are considering trying to rear a few partridge. Things are a lot different here regarding hunting, here it is mainly the gun clubs who introduce and manage ducks and pheasants, not too many gamekeepers needed. The club members do the work and pay for the birds, some clubs are better than others at this. We are a small club, about 20 members, so we are limited in manpower and money. We will never have the luxury of managing the ducks or pheasant but I am pleased that there are more in the area than previously. I don't eat duck or pheasant so don't shoot them but do shoot deer and rabbits,yummy.
