April 2007 Updates page 3
9 Apr
Turkey Season
The phones have been busy as expected since spring turkey season is here. Reminder; reservations are taken between 9am and 530pm Monday through Friday. So far, everything is going smoothly between Shaun and the members making turkey reservations since 99% of the members know where they want to hunt and have their maps or notes in front of them while making reservations.
We've seen a lot of birds while traveling the back roads, so conditions look optimistic for another bumper harvest. Especially since this year the foliage is greener and ahead of schedule, always remember safety comes first while spring turkey hunting.
A turkey flock working a green wheat field in the evening. Recently, the birds have been using the wheat fields, but the wheat is growing fast, which can change their patterns soon.
We took advantage of the slow months of February and March to do some improvements on the structure of our office and storage shed. We've also been working on a new billing system that will be more cost efficient and internally simplify our billing.
Jon Nee Jr. working off his hunting during spring break by improving our waterfowl areas. In this case the dirty work of consolidating a bulldozed pile of trees from last year, burned the day before with the remnants being piled to further burn down. Wetlands being what they are often preclude heavy machinery making form much hand labor.
Our wetlands have constant maintenance projects that have short time frames to work with. Since it's been cool and damp, we drained our new wade-in area and moved the water to Fisher's Lake. The water drained smoothly so we took advantage of the opportunity to cut and burn the brush piles from last summers dozer project. Beavers have become such a problem we're asking anyone that would volunteer to legally remove beavers to step give us a call. It's a job that requires experience, but we'll assist by making access as simple as possible.
From now until hunting season Jon will be exploring every land lease and improvement opportunities possible, so he'll be out of the office quite a bit, but return messages as soon as possible. As land changes are made throughout the off season we will update the maps on our map website within 2-3 days of the contract.
Good Upland Bird Hunts
We preempt this upland bird hunter's feedback for the benefit of the rest of the update page readers.
This traveling bird hunter always seems to have a good hunt regardless of time of season, weather conditions or bird cycles. He is one of those upland hunters that has the willingness to walk, shooting ability and that extra ability all bird hunters work to achieve at getting the most out of every dog. The end result is that he is one of a few that has recurring daily limits or near daily limits on both pheasant and quail, he rarely returns twice in one season to the same upland bird unit and simply is a good conversation for a second opinion on birds, habitat, leases and upland bird hunting in general. We have solicited his contributions to the upland bird forecast we publish each year. While he has benefited many in the Association with his evaluations he also asks for nothing more than what his membership provides. Jeff is simply a good hunter and person.
We always like dog on point showing habitat pictures. It is a special mark that a hunter has such confidence in the quality of his hunts that he will stop and take a picture between point and flush. Thanks Jeff for another set of success pictures.
Off Season
John,
In my efforts to keep my birddogs in top shape, attached you will find a picture of the techniques that I have found to work the best. I think the liver and white brit has the best form.
Mike
Thanks for the humor Mike!
