Happy to hear that the auction was a success. At the per-acre price you cited, I can see where a lot of very friendly and bulging hip pockets might be a Godsend. Ducks Unlimited had its origins in the individual "shooter in the marsh", and it's that same shooter who's driving the organization today. No individual independence or group autonomy has been lost through DU activities. Instead, the membership has developed some very considerable political clout and even a certain amount of non-shooting public affection. More importantly, countless acres of wetlands and saltmarsh have been saved and enhanced by DU. Come to think of it, their saltmarsh work has more than likely helped our fisheries industry (given that the saltmarsh is the nursery of the sea). Having said all that, I really must send in my $45 DU membership fee. God bless, and good shooting.