Enjoy them while you can as high commodity prices have increased wetland drainage in the Prairie Pothole Region to unheard of levels. Many farmers cashed in the last of their federal PeePee (Prevented Planting) checks and launched a massive assault on the shallow wetlands that produce most of the invertebrate protein hens require for egg production. Tillage is what kept these wetlands open. The shorelines of the remaining deeper wetlands are shaded jungles of old growth cattails, willows, cottonwoods, and Canary grass that are almost worthless as food sources for all birds. These wetlands need burning, grazing, or even mowing badly, but cattle producers are getting hard to find in most of the Region. Looks grim for ducks boys.
