Page 25 - Waterfowl

The Five Principles Ted Shanks’s simple vision for Missouri’s waterfowl and wetland management
evolved into these five principles:
• acquisition, development, and management of a system of state-owned wetland conservation areas;
• a strong partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS);
• recognition that private landowners provide important waterfowl habitat and ultimately these lands determine the fate of waterfowl in Missouri;
• a foundation for collaboration among government agencies and non-government organizations, most notably Ducks Unlimited; and
• commitment to science-based management delivered through strong partnerships between researchers and managers.
Private and Public Waterfowl Habitats
Private waterfowl hunting clubs have existed in the state since 1865. In some parts of Missouri, privately owned lands were the first to be dedicated to waterfowl conservation. In other regions, interest in managing private lands for waterfowl was not significant until public areas were established. In all cases management of privately owned lands
for waterfowl was spurred by interests in waterfowl hunting. The most progressive of
the early clubs learned that, in addition to providing quality habitat for waterfowl, it
was important to establish adequate refuge, minimize disturbance, and control hunting pressure in order to sustain waterfowl populations. The lessons learned on private land helped guide acquisition and development of publicly owned waterfowl areas.
The first public wetland areas in Missouri were acquired by the FWS after the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), established in 1935, was the first in Missouri. Swan Lake NWR was established in 1937, followed by Mingo NWR in 1944. With the addition of Clarence Cannon NWR in 1964, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (NFWR) in 1994, and the Fox Island Division of
the Great River NWR in 1989–97, the National Wildlife Refuge System in Missouri provides more than 60,000 acres of waterfowl habitat. These refuges are managed, often intensively, to attract waterfowl and provide food and sanctuary throughout the year while complementing habitat provided on state or privately owned lands. They also provide hunting and other wildlife-related recreation.
Section I Missouri Model 23