October 2007 page 13 Updates

30 October

We have heard this one before

"Hunter shot in leg as dogs step on gun...[name deleted] was hunting with a group...[he] put his gun on the ground and crossed a fence to retrieve a pheasant...Hunting dogs stepped on his gun, causing it to fire. [name deleted] was shot in the lower left leg..."

Dateline Iowa, Des Monies Register, by register staff and news service, October 29, 2007.

Read how the incident above was reported in the Washington Post, Off/beat, by Emil Steiner, October 30, 2007: "...a pheasant hunt ended in tragedy...a pack of hunting dogs...shot an Iowa man at close range...he apparently caught a bullet in his left calf..."

We were further reminded of a waterfowl hunter a couple of years ago that while moving to a pond to set up a goose spread along with his dog lost that dog by it running off to chase geese over thin ice. It went under and never came back up.

Also, for anyone that has not yet read this very good article by a conscientious member they should have a look before heading to the field.

However for dog safety, it is far more necessary to carry water for dogs as most of our better upland bird areas this year are in dry parts of the country.

Waterfowl

Now that the season is on we would like to pass on that we have more water than we’ve ever had for at least 15 years, for our members to duck and goose hunt this fall and winter.

The last two summers were extremely dry and We took advantage of this opportunity to improve and expand our wetlands. The only obstacle we faced this year was an early July nine inch rain that flooded out several wetlands that were planted to milo and millet.

We were able to replant several wetlands in the Middle Zone with millet, but once the marshes dried out, it was too late to replant milo. In Holt County we faced the opposite power by Mother Nature as it did not rain and our crop was taken over by weeds, which had to be sprayed.

South side of the new wade-in area Henry B

A photo of a wetland project that started the summer 06 in 100 plus degree weather that recently came together successfully this summer. Smooth flat bottom, cleared brush, restored levees and water flow control.

A combination of flood water and beaver dams are obstacles we will never be able to overcome. Yearly maintenance occurs behind the scenes each summer on top of lease renewals and maps. If you question a small increase in dues or a $50 guest pass fee, guess how many guest passes it cost to finance the job below.

We’ve pretty much leveled out the number of blinds the last couple of years and increased the amount of wade-in acreage since layout boats, portable and layout blinds have become so popular. If you would like to avoid sharing blinds and want to get away from other hunters, you need to focus on the wade-in areas, watershed and irrigation lakes, especially on weekends.

Henry B north wade-in area.

One of our wetlands that the blind was removed to convert to a wade-in area. The water source on this wade-in area is one of our most dependable, due to a low positioned pipe structure.

Over the years, many long term friendship and business relationships have been developed by meeting fellow members in our duck blinds.

Henry B blind 2.

One of our blinds (left of center) that has been around a long time. Many stories and good Hunts have been shared on this wetland over the years.

Reminder to all waterfowl hunters! Floodwater is extremely dangerous. When in doubt, do not enter a wetland if there is any question the river is coming out. Safety always comes first!

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