Ducks Unlimited

[mixxedbagg]

What do you guys think about Ducks Unlimited? Now that I've taken up this sport and really enjoy it, I'm wondering if it's the best organization to give back to the birds.

[topcat3820]

Ducks Who ??? Sounds pretty sketchy to me... I'd do some research before I gave 'em any cash .

[Stringerless!]

Do it.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

don't forget delta waterfowl either.

[LandDr]

That is certainly an option. Another option is to take on some projects yourself...then 100% of your money goes right into the project with nothing taken out for administrative fees, salaries, etc., etc., etc.

1. Get some wild rice, sago, celery or even freshwater shrimp and start restoring food sources into ponds.

2. Work with a landowner to flood some fields "after" harvest. This can be a tough sell but water on the field "after" harvest and then drained again when ice forms will not affect spring planting at all...in fact it is a wonderfull weed control program.

3. Work with a landowner to explore conservation programs that will not only be good for ducks and other wildlife but also make the landowner more money.

Etc.

If you want 100% to go into a project and the results, these are great options. You can certainly donate to these other organizations as well as they are doing good things too. I have restored a lot of ponds with wild rice and boy are the ducks piling into them this fall! They also had greaet broods on them this summer.

[hunter322]

Theres also the minnesota waterfowl association, Minnesota bucks for Minnesota ducks!

[magnum mike]

I was committee member and co-chair of the large national organization. I got tired of hearing "bucks for the ducks" and the nickel & dime approach to make sure we emptied every wallet in the hall before the event was over. When I saw the PALACE that was built for the headquarters at 1 Waterfowl Way in Memphis, the MANY directors with 6 figure salaries, the trips & perks these people get and the countless advertising dollars spent I took a step back. I used to go to no less than 3 events per year. I told them I didn’t need 3 copies of everything and they should try to spend some of those bucks on the ducks it fell on deaf ears.

MN Waterfowlers and Delta are great organizations and much more of the money stays in our state and a much higher percentage gets spent on momma duck. My $.02

[Gordie]

If you join an organization keep it local as most guys have said. keep the money in this state other wise your dollars will be spent well who knows where

[LandDr]

I would agree with Mike...I would encourage everyone to take a close look at any organization they are going to donate to before donating. It may look rosey on the outside, but on the inside there are many that are money making machines paying big salaries and benefits. There are some that create subsideraries to generate even more money and create loop holes for increased salaries. For example, some states have caps on salaries...so for an individual to make more money, they sit on the board or have another job for the subsiderary to generate more personal income.

And often much of the income is tax payer dollars in the form of grants...not just banquet dollars.

It is not all what you see on the outside! There are some good charieties...but many of them are cash cows for the high paid salaries.

ALL non-profits are required to report their income and expenses (tax return)...REQUIRED. All you have to do is either look on the Attorney General's web site or request it. MN used to have a pretty detailed but for some reason it is now not very detailed. I wonder why? I wonder who didn't like the detail and their salaries being exposed? If the detail is not there, then request it...they HAVE TO provide it. And make sure you check on the reports for the subsideraries of the organization and who is on those boards and/or salaries. You might be surprised how often you see the same names!

It is an eye opener and I wish someone would make it more public so everyone can make a more informed decision.

I still preach getting some guys together and work on some projects...then you know 100% is going towards results and you feel a lot better seeing the results happen. My buck fifty.

[mnguy152]

Here is a thought give money to Pheasant forever. The money raised in the county stays in the county they buy alot of land not just for upland fowl but also have alot of land that serves as nesting habitat for water fowl too. Just a thought and idea.I know our local chapter has bought alot of land and used it for wmas. PS I am not a board member of PF or a big supporter either just a blue collar hunter like anyother guy.

[LandDr]

I would recommend looking at the detailed tax returns, income and expenses as well as subsideraries. Gotta take the blindfolds off.

Blue collar hunter = 100% into your own project on the ground

You will get a bigger bang for your dollar by simply putting your money into woodduck houses and nest structures...and it is a great project with the kids that they will remember for years and years and years...and pass on to their kids.

"Hey Dad...remember when you bought those banquet tickets for 300 bucks...that was so cool!"...or..."Hey Dad...remember when we put out those woodduck houses and hen nests...that was so cool!"

Just putting it into perspective.

[duckhuntr21]

One thing that is overlooked is the amount of money that organizations at the national level spend on lobbyists. They have alot of impact on gun control laws, hunting and fishing regulations, and even conservation programs. As much as we would like to give all of our money to smaller organizations, this by itself is a good reason to spread it out a little bit.

[morefishplease]

I agree 100% with magnum mike. Once you get a taste of whats on the inside you really get see whats going on! I'm not saying that these organizations are bad by no means, its just you really have to see how they spend the money. I like the local organizations myself, for instance Minnesota Waterfowl Association or the local pheasant habitat club. Or even building or buying a wood duck house and putting that out is better than your $30 donation to DU that gets you a sticker for your truck and 4 issues of DU and a mailbox full of DU junk mail begging for more $$$. IMO your making a donation each yr by buying the federal and state waterfowl stamp, thats what the stamp programs were intended for.

[Ufatz]

Mike is close to nailing it. I've done a lot or work with DU in years past; raised a lot of money. Got tired of seeing DU fully outfitted trucks running around on "big shot" duck hunts on prime private property and watching TV shows of more "big shots" running to specialty hunting areas to enjoy hunting you and I would never see. Hurts me to say it, but I fear they have gone the same way NRA has gone-elitist and all about big money and politics. And NOT just politics to assist the resource and the sportsmen.

Too bad.