So what does hunting grounds exactly do? Play Vodyani and it seems to have absolutely no effect. I can still anchor while it is hunting grounds, and I don't seem to get any resources by leaving it alone.

Think this feature isn't working. At first i thought that i can leech of the hunting grounds, but it didn't work. Also it has no impact on arcs or anything else.

Any other race that captures "haunting grounds" system gains instant colony with all leftovers of population. I don't get why Vodyani can't leech said population though.

Fair enough. So if it's a volatile area prone to be reconquered it's best to let the timer tick down. But yea, kind of weird they can't leech. Or at least get essence if anchored.