St. Charles County, MO
11/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/10/2025 08:55
Former Duck Club May Become St. Charles County Park
What was once a private duck club for members only could soon become a St. Charles County Park, open to all for hiking, biking, conservation, education, and limited duck hunting.
The St. Charles County Council is considering a proposal to transform the former Whistling Wings duck club in northern St. Charles County, near Huster Road and Highway B, into what would be called the Jay and Carolyn Henges Wetland Park and Education Center.
The proposed park would be jointly run by the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance (GRHA) and the St. Charles County Parks Department with input from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
Visitors could enjoy 785 acres of lakes, woods and scenic trails that are part of the national flyway for migratory birds along the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Conservationists consider the site a vital stopover and refuge for birds going north and south along the rivers. A portion of the site would be considered "inviolate" where no hunting would be allowed at any time.
The plan was introduced before the council Oct. 27 and could come up for a decisive vote as soon as Nov. 10.
If approved, the site would join the family of more than 20 St. Charles County parks.
Under the proposal, GRHA is spending $11 million to buy the property, made possible in part by a contribution from the Jay and Carolyn Henges Charitable Trust. St. Charles County would fund construction of a 5,000 square-foot education center and pay the yearly operational costs of the park.
Managed by the County as a normal park during the offseason, the site would include specialized hunts hosted by the MDC and other conservation-based organizations during duck hunting season to help introduce the public to the sport.
Youth hunting classes would emphasize gun safety. With parents at their side, children could learn the finer points of duck calling, bird identification, duck decoy strategy and duck blind etiquette. After completing the program, graduates could enjoy hunts overseen by the MDC.
Plans also call for duck hunting opportunities for veterans, first responders and others. The site would not be part of MDC's managed waterfowl hunt program.
The MDC and GRHA entered into an agreement to protect the site earlier this year. The deal included $2 million in funding from MDC to GRHA to help with the purchase of the property and to preserve the waterfowl habitat.
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