Brookgreen Gardens "rice" field

**Aging Baby Boomer** · 12-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Last year during the split we went down to Brookgreen Gardens and witnessed a very impressive number of ducks exiting their reimpounded marsh about 5:25 to 5:35 PM. There were also a good number of ducks that appeared to come into the marsh to roost.

We went down there yesterday for the "Night of 1000 Candles" Christmas emphasis. Of course, about 4:45 we made straight to the observation deck for the duck show. We were immediately aware that something was different, for there was no evidence of any waterfowl in the impoundment. We ended up counting fewer than 50 passing ducks even though we stayed at the observation deck until "pitch black." It did not appear that Brookgreen had grown a crop of rice this year.

Does anyone know if Brookgreen had problems with the field or just dropped the ball on management this year?

**Turd Ferguson** · 12-07-2008, 06:36 PM

Brookgreen may be aviary friendly but mostly botanical and sculpture oriented , they make no effort to feed the habitat unless it is feeding machines paid for by the public-- they have plenty of marsh and unpressured areas but I do not think they make any effort to attract waterfowl with food, which is why I hunt there daily without fear of repercussions or hunted a baited field.

**MattB** · 12-07-2008, 07:02 PM

So Turd, how do you get in there to hunt everyday? Do you have permission, or a key to the gate on the river?

**skrimp** · 12-07-2008, 07:11 PM

Turd, will my conservation permit get me in or is it by special drawing? If it is special drawing, do we still have to send you the $50 entry fee?

**Chuck the Duck Slayer** · 12-07-2008, 07:14 PM

I use my Conservation Permit up there on Wednesdays when it is half price.

**Turd Ferguson** · 12-07-2008, 07:52 PM

PM me and I will update you with our hunting schedule- CP is required or you can hunt with someone that has one- I can normally get 3-4 guys in on each hunt but the CP holders want $25 each as a supplement to what they have to pay for their permit each year- I do not blame them for trying to recoup their investment- I will let someone get in for free on mine provided I am not taking someone.

**MattB** · 12-07-2008, 08:24 PM

I'm beginning to think this CP thing is a lot like snipe hunting.

**Chuck the Duck Slayer** · 12-07-2008, 08:33 PM

Matt you need to send Trad a PM about the CP. It is difficult to obtain but it is nice if you can pass all the tests. They dont just give these things away.

**sprigdog** · 12-07-2008, 08:34 PM

i posted a few weeks ago on how to apply, do a search and you should find it. had a great opener there on the first split. Run just like a WMA, wed and sat til noon. spendy though.

**falcon40** · 12-07-2008, 09:04 PM

you guys are gay!!!!

**saltynut** · 12-08-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by MattB

I'm beginning to think this CP thing is a lot like snipe hunting.

I guess you have never been on a hunt for the actual gamebird huh.

**GMAC** · 12-08-2008, 06:10 PM

In the "good old days", Brookgreen kept its fields locked up tight. As a result, it had ducks. The caretaker was Mr. Bessinger, and he was very diligent. It was always fun to hear the stories about how "Mr. Bee-singer almost had my ass".

**Aging Baby Boomer** · 12-08-2008, 07:13 PM

Well.....not to hijack a thread, or anything - 'cause Heaven knows I love me some chatter about Conservation Permits - but does anyone know why Brookgreen's impoundment is devoid of ducks this year?

**dcmbsc** · 12-08-2008, 08:31 PM

Are you talking about the old field's right next to the boat ducks?

**Formerly Cut 'Em** · 12-09-2008, 03:01 PM

The reason is we havent had the right weather conditions to burn it during the first season. I burned it last week and we started flooding it in the few days following. It will start filling up with birds after a day of when the flooding begins. Just havent had the right man power/weather conditions (especially the wind) and there were a couple of other variables up in the air. But I burned it at the end of last week, so it should start having birds come in there shortly