Controversy Continues Over Duck Feeding

It has been two years since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banned the longstanding and controversial practice of attracting ducks to hunting clubs with grain. That ban was effective with the start of the 1990-91 waterfowl hunting season, and it took one day in court to find out that the issue is not yet resolved.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gordon Thompson said Wednesday in San Diego that he will take the matter of the ban under advisement.

The owners of 12 of about 30 feeding clubs that operate primarily in the Imperial Valley argued that stopping the practice would have a detrimental environmental impact, because if they could not bait the ducks, they probably would not maintain the ponds, and valuable wetlands would be lost.

Additionally, they claimed that the action taken by the Fish and Wildlife Service did not comply with administrative procedures, which require the completion of an environmental impact statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The government countered the first contention by arguing that, regardless of the wetlands issue, there are federal regulations against baiting and hunting, and the state practice--feeding permits are issued by the California DFG--is against the law.

It also argued it was not in violation of administrative procedures and requested chance to address that issue in more detail. It has until Wednesday to do so. Club owners then have until Oct. 22 to respond.