Changes to MRP

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Mallard Release Program (MRP) Changes - Making it Cheaper and Easier for the Landowner

by: Stuart Cochran - Article from Waterfowl and Wetlands - Spring 2010

SCWA has once again teamed up with The Frost Waterfowl Trust to provide

landowners with the best genetic quality release mallards possible. Since 1994

landowners around the state have released over 575,000 mallards on over 250

different properties. In the past couple of years we have noticed a decrease in

the number of MRP cooperators. Most of those who have dropped out of the

program are small duck clubs or individuals who like to raise ducks for their own

non hunting recreation. In light of the current economic conditions, The Frost

Waterfowl Trust and SCWA sat down in late December and discussed what

steps were needed to make the MRP more affordable and easy for landowners

to get involved in the program.

In the past, landowners interested in getting involved in the MRP would pay a

$750 service fee for the first year and then $500 per year after that. These fees

provided landowners with habitat evaluations, management plans, phone consultation and other important services such as advocacy for the program. We have now made these fees voluntary. Many landowners have been in the program for many years and no longer need habitat advice or management advice. This change also allows individuals who may not have been able to afford the fee to still get quality release mallards. We still encourage people to send in their service fees if they need waterfowl habitat and management advice and also to show their support for the MRP. SCWA has worked hard to ensure that landowners in South Carolina maintain their right to release mallards and manage their waterfowl habitat.

SCWA and The Frost Waterfowl Trust also came up with a set schedule for duck delivery. Ducks can be ordered for a particular week starting the week of May 3rd and going through July 15th. This allows the cooperator to get their ducks at a specific time when they would like the birds. The price of the ducks has also decreased this year with ducks arriving the week of May 3rd being $5.50 and going up to $6.60 the week of June 28th and beyond.

Did you know that 12% of the mallards released by MRP cooperators are harvested outside of South Carolina. Did you know - mallards that were released by MRP cooperators here in South Carolina have been harvested in 36 different states and 7 Canadian Providences? Most of these ducks are at least 2 years old and some are up to 10 years old. Of all the release mallards harvested every year only about 40% are harvested on MRP cooperator lands while the other 60% are harvested either on public land or other private non-MRP lands. These ducks have not only given the landowners hunting opportunities but also their guests, countless kids and many other private and public duck hunters across the country.

If you are interested in getting involved in the release mallard program please contact Stuart Cochran at 803-452-6001.