We’ve all heard of swarms of mosquitoes. We’ve heard of swarms of bees. But swarms of ducks?

William Lane, a Burleigh County farmer near Moffit, ND was at his wit’s end over the wily mallards. “They’re eating me out of house and home,” said Mr. Lane.

The Fargo Forum on this date in 1939 reported that the duck swarms had eaten more than 1,000 bushels of corn from Mr. Lane’s fields. Lane complained that “the ducks are getting more corn than my hogs!”

Because he is on a waterfowl refuge, hunting the fowl is not an option.

Appealing to the governor and the federal biological survey, Lane said “farmers should have as much protection as the ducks!”

The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Wednesday Evening, October 25, 1939. Vol. 61, No. 294. Pg. 1.

By Dave Seifert

This text and audio may not be copied without securing prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.