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The Tale of Muck-Boy
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| Fish
Point State Game Area Archived Reports |
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| Report |
Pictures |
| Nov
-24-08 - Area Update -
Area remains locked up in ice, the next few days of warmer weather
may open some of the zones. Current Bird Numbers: The DNR area bird count as of last week was 14,800 ducks and 600 geese. 2008 Hunter Bird Take Stands at: 5619 Ducks and 489 Geese |
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images for a larger view 
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| Nov -20-08 - Area Update - Most areas and even some of the ditches are covered with as much as 1 inch of ice. | |
Nov 16 08 - Bills Area Update - Water conditions are as good as they are going to get for this season. Cover crops are thinning and food is all but ate off. Current
Bird Numbers:
The DNR area bird count as of last week was 19,600 ducks and 800
geese. |
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| Nov 9 08 - Bills Area Update - Water conditions continue to improve. Cover crops are still holding up and are rated as good. Duck numbers continue to build. Current
Bird Numbers:
The DNR area bird count as of last week was 16,250 ducks and 1000
geese. |
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| Nov
2 08 - Bills Area Update -
Water conditions continue to improve. Cover
crops are still holding up and are rated as good. Duck numbers are
building but activity has been slow with the nice weather. Current Bird Numbers: The DNR area bird count as of last week was 13,800 ducks and 1000 geese. 2008 Hunter Bird Take Stands at: 4564 Ducks and 446 Geese Current Area Conditions: Area 1,2 & 3 - Cover is good and there is water in zones 2 & 3, water is now covering about half of zone 1. Area 9 thru 13 - Cover is good and and water levels are improving. Zone 12 and 10 have the least amount of water. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is in all zones and cover remains in good shape. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is in all zones. Cover in this zone runs from poor to good depending on the zone. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have water and cover is good. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is just starting to fill in front of the zones, cover is good. Area 58 thru 63 - Water in all zones, zone 63 has the least amount of water and the cover is good. Area 64 thru 69 - Water levels are improving with most zones having some water. Cover ranges from fair to good. |
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| Oct
27 08 - Bills Area Update -
Water conditions continue to improve. Cover
crops are still holding up and are rated as good. Current Bird Numbers: The DNR area bird count as of last week was 8,200 ducks and 2000 geese. 2008 Hunter Bird Take Stands at: 3429 Ducks and 407 Geese Current Area Conditions: Area 1,2 & 3 - Cover is good and there is water in zones 2 & 3. Area 9 thru 13 - Cover is good and and water levels are improving. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is in all zones and cover remain in good shape. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is in all zones. Cover in this zone runs from poor to good depending on the zone. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have water and cover is good. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is just starting to fill in front of the zones, cover is good. Area 58 thru 63 - Water in every zone except 63 and cover is good. Area 64 thru 69 - Water levels are improving zone cover ranges from fair to good. |
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| Oct
19 08 - Bills Area Update -
All the areas now have water,
the amount of water in the zones, ranges from an inch to a foot or
two in other zones.
The DNR is pumping every day so, make sure to listen to the DNR update
of the area before the draw because the water conditions are changing
every day.
Cover remains good in most areas, other that in the north
end of the 20's. Current Bird Numbers: The DNR area bird count as of last week was 7,800 ducks and 3000 geese. 2008 Hunter Bird Take Stands at: 2053 Ducks and 306 Geese Current Area Conditions: Area 1,2 & 3 - Cover is good and there is water in zones 2 & 3. Area 9 thru 13 - Cover is good and there is some water in 9, 11 and just reaching 10. No water in 12 & 13 yet. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is in all zones and cover remain in good shape. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is in all zones. Cover in this zone runs from poor to good depending on the zone. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have water and cover is good. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is just starting to fill in front of the zones, cover is good. Area 58 thru 63 - Water in every zone except 63 and cover is good. Area 64 thru 69 - Water just starting to show in zone 65 - cover ranges from fair to good. |
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Oct
5 08 - Bills Area Update
- Waterfowl Hunting opens
here next weekend. This mornings update finds, good numbers of geese
in the area and the numbers continue
to build compared to last weeks report
and Duck numbers are fair. |
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images for a larger view 
Goose Numbers Build |
Sept -28-08 - Bills Area Update - On this mornings scouting trip, I found that the Canada Geese have started to move into the area. I seen geese from the time I left my house in Reese. They were not in great numbers but more than I have seen since spring. The area is in good shape this year with the crops ranging from poor at the north end of the 20's, NOTE: the DNR and has planted sourgam in front of the corn to help with cover (see the top picture to the right). The rest of the area's cover is good to excellent. The DNR has started pumping water and it is visible in the 40's and the north end of the teens and of course the geese have already moved in. Water is also being pumped in to the 20's. |
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Aug -24-08 - Bills Area Update - My morning area check found that for most areas the corn remains in very good shape and is ranging in height from 6 to 8 feet. The one area of concern remains to be the north end of the 20's, as you can tell from picture at the right, the corn here may be, at most 3 foot tall. The other area I was concered with in my last report, the first 2 rows of the teens, is no longer a concern, the corn here has now caught up with the corn in the other areas. Also a rumor had been that the corn in the 1,2,& 3 area was poor, as you can tell from the picture to the right the corn in at least area 1 is in great shape. The buckwheat averages from fair to good in all the areas. The water level is still in good shape, in the ditches and refuge, as you can tell from the group of wood ducks resting in one of the ditches. The mowing of the grass strips has also began, but I think strips in front of the corn in the teens and 40's still needs to be mowed. |
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Jul -27-08 - Bills Area Update - My morning area check found that for most areas the corn is in very good shape and is ranging in height form 4 to 8 feet with the ears just starting to form. The two areas of concern would be the north end of the 20's, as you can tell from picture at the right, the corn here may be, at most 12 to 18 inch's high. The other area would be the teens, most of the front two rows have very little corn. The buckwheat in all the areas looks in very good condition also. The water level is still in great shape, in the ditches and refuge, as you can tell from this group geese feeding in the refuge. I spotted them camped out on Ringle road with most of them sleeping, until I woke them up at 8:00am. The mowing of the grass strips has also began.
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Jul
-06-08 - Bills Area Update
- The wife and I packed up this morning and did a crop tour of the
area. I have good news, the water is up in all the ditches and the
refuge water level is the best it has been in two years. Over all the area is in great shape. |
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Apr -06-08 - Bills Area Update - This was an extra special early morning scouting trip. I have been doing this for a lot of years and I can't ever remember the wildlife being so active. There were many more ducks in the area than last week, no swans were seen so they may have moved on. The Canadian Geese were vi wed in large number and at one time there was what I like to call a goose tornado over the southwest corner of the area. I also seen plenty of deer, Turkey and many different species of shore birds and small mammals, it was a very special morning. I think there will be at least one more good week of waterfowl viewing before the birds move on. I have always found the wildlife to be more active from about 7:30am to 9:00am. |
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Mar -30-08 - Just a great morning to go out and scout, the weather still is a little cold for this time of year, with some ice still being seen on the Saginaw Bay. Seen a group of about 20 turkeys in one field and all I could see was one tom and he was putting on his show for all the hens. Many, many Canadian Geese with some swans and a few ducks are in the area. Hope to seen more ducks on next weeks trip. Remember the migration can be over as fast as it begins. |
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| Nov
-25-07 - Bills Area Update
- "NOTE"
waterfowl hunting in the southern zone ends December
2nd and reopens for ducks Jan 5th and 6th and runs through February
3rd 2008 for geese. Water conditions remain the same as last week
- Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4995 ducks and 495 geese. No count this week - but I saw plenty of ducks and geese in the area. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches. |
Sorry no pictures at this
time. |
| Nov
-18-07 - Bills Area Up -
Water conditions remain the same as last week - Cover and crop conditions
are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4662 ducks and 480 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Sundays count was 10,000 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches. |
Sorry no pictures at this
time. |
| Nov
-10-07 - Bills Area Up -
Hunted the area today and the water conditions have improved from
last week - Cover and crop conditions are still in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4434 ducks and 468 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Sundays count was 14,800 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - More water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones with the most being in the north zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry - but some water is starting to enter the field ditches. |
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images for a larger view |
| Nov
-04-07 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and water conditions remain about
the same as last week - some zones have even seen a slight decrease
because of evaporation and ground seepage. Cover and crop conditions
are still in great shape. This morning I also had the pleasure to
go along with area manager Tim Gierman on his weekly bird count. See
the pictures to the right and the results below, "Thanks Tim". Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 3928 ducks and 448 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday had slipped to 10,000 ducks and 700 geese. Today's count was 14,800 ducks and 700 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - Some water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry |
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| Oct
-28-07 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to improve.
Cover remains in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 3457 ducks and 400 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 13,000 ducks and 1000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Field has reached it correct water level. Area 9 thru 13 - Some water showing up in zone 9 the rest of the zones remain dry. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is now in all zones. Area 20 thru 32 - Mostly dry, with some water in zone 29. Area 45 thru 49 - All zones have some water Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry |
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60's Remain Dry 
Zone 1,2 & 3 |
| Oct
-21-07 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and there is some improvement in
the water conditions. Cover remains in great shape. |
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| Oct
-12-07 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and all areas remain mostly dry, the
DNR pumped yesterday with the strong Northwest winds and some ditches
are starting to fill. Cover remains in great shape. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 1833 ducks and 233 geese. The DNR area bird count as of Monday was 13,000 ducks and 1000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - The portable tractor pump is running. Mostly dry now. Area 9 thru 13 - Dry Area 14 thru 19 - Mostly dry with some water starting to show at the north end of the area. Pump was running this morning. Area 20 thru 32 - Dry Area 45 thru 49 - Some water in the area. Area 50 thru 54 - Dry Area 58 thru 63 - Dry Area 64 thru 69 - Dry |
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| Oct
-01-07 - Bills Area Update
- Checked all the fields this morning. The cropping has been done
and the fields are all ready except for 1,2,3 and I expect this field
will be cut this week. Crop conditions as a whole are very
good. Very good numbers of geese and ducks were using the
area this morning. As most may know the Saginaw Bay has very low water conditions and two field pumps are being replaced. These conditions will cause delays in getting most of the areas flooded until the middle of October. I believe, unless we get a major rain pattern or some very strong north winds it will be very difficult to get any great amount of water in any of the areas this year, I did notice that there was some water on the west side of the area see picture to the right. The DNR flooding forecast that was received by the membership of the Fish Point Wildlife Association is as follows: Zones
1-5 should be flooded mid-late October. The refuge is currently very low and it may be late season or after before much pumping can be done. |
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| Sept
-02-07 - Bills Area Update
- Visited the area today for a crop tour, for the most part the
crops and the area look very good. With the exception of the north
end of the 20's, corn at this point is maybe waist high. This is
the good news, the bad news is the water situation. The refuge is
slowly turning into a mud flat, we will need good fall rains to
fill it back up for the migration, because the low water level on
the Saginaw Bay will not allow for timely pumping. Everyone can
also expect little water in the fields for the duck opener. |
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images for a larger view 
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| Aug -01-07 - Bills Area Update - Checked the area today and found most of the crops to be in good shape. Ears are stating to form and in some areas the corn is approaching 7 feet tall. In area 1, 2 and 3 the corn is coming along and is about 4 foot high, I did not see any ears yet. The corn at the north end of the 20's is struggling at only maybe 18 to 24 inches high, it may not be mature for opening day therefore limiting cover. All the buckwheat is in excellent shape. For those that have not heard that the DNR is recommending that there be no pre-registered draws for the opener at Fish Point and Nayanquing. If you are planning to hunt either of these areas the DNR is making sure that everyone knows there may be no water in the fields. This is due to a couple of factors #1 - low water levels on Saginaw Bay may effect how much can be pumped, #2 - at Fish Point 2 new pumps are being installed and the completion date may be after the opener. |
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| Jul -06-07 - Bills Area Update - Took a crop tour this morning and it looks like all the fields are planted with corn and buckwheat. The corn in the areas averages from 6 inches on the north end of the 20's to 30 inchs in area 9 to 13. With good weather it looks like the crops for the most part will be good again this year. | Click images for a larger view
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| Apr
-29-07 - Bills Area Update
- Fields remain to wet to start working for spring planting. Birds are on their nests so we can expect to start to see little ones within the next couple of weeks. Use please use caution along Ringle Rd during this time of year. I also seen many deer this morning. |
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| Apr -09-07 - Bills Area Update - An early morning scouting trip found more ducks in the area than from my last report in March, waterfowl that that was viewed this morning included Common Mergansers, Coots, Ring Necks, Buffalo Heads, Mallards, Pintails and Canadian Geese. I also seen plenty of deer, and many different species of shore birds and small mammals, it was a very good trip. | Click images for a larger view
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| Mar -18-07 - What a great morning to go out and scout, the weather could not have been better and the critters were out in number. Seen about 200 deer and 100 turkeys in the fields feeding, the toms were putting on their spring show.The spring waterfowl migration has stated seen a good number of canadian geese and a few ducks. The numbers of birds should pick up over the next couple of weeks. Remember the migration can before as fast as it begins. | Click
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| Dec -03-06 - Duck Seasons Last Day - Goose season will remain open until 12-12-06. | |
| Nov
-25-06 - Bills Area Update
- Cover and crops in some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure
to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Note: The
last draw will be held on 12-03-06 Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-24-06 was 8,320 ducks and 595 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-13-06 is 8,000 ducks and geese N/A. |
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| Nov
-19-06 - Bills Area Update
- Most areas have huntable water conditions. The cover and crops in
some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure to do some scouting before
selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-18-06 was 8,215 ducks and 578 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-13-06 is 12,000 ducks and 2000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area. |
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images for a larger view 
100's of swans are now in the area. Reports continue to find the hunting slow. Birds are heading out of the area in the mornings and evenings. |
| Nov
-13-06 - Bills Area Update
- Most areas have huntable water conditions. The DNR continues to
run the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. The
cover and crops in some areas and zones is very thin. Make sure to
do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-12-06 was 7,884 ducks and 559 geese. The DNR area bird count as of 11-12-06 is 16,000 ducks and 2000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area but still requires more. |
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More water in the 60's - Reports that we are getting, continues to find the hunting slow. Birds are heading out of the area in the mornings and evenings. |
| Nov
-05-06 - Bills Area Update
- Most areas have huntable water conditions, areas 9 to 13 and the
60's still could use more. The DNR is running the field pumps when
there is enough water in the ditches. The cover and crops in some
areas and zones is beginning to thin. Make sure to do some scouting
before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 11-04-06 was 7,152ducks and 534 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 14,500 ducks and 800 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. More water to the north of the area. Area 9 thru 13 - More water is visible in most of the area but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is at good levels, but cover is thinning. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - More water is visible in the area but still requires more. |
Field
Reporter Paul Smith along with friends Erine Smith and Blue hunted
the afternoon hunt on 11-3-06 This is his report - Broke 1/8"
to 1/4" ice all the way into field at 1 pm some had thawed
by 5:30pm when the 3 of us left. But another night of freezing temps
are forecasted. Looks like breakin' ice is in order until he next
warm spell. Not a lot of birds flyin' or a lot of shootin' going
on. We ended up shooting 3 birds and Tugg (the big dawg) found 2
crips. In a word SLOOOOWWWWW! |
| Oct
-29-06 - Bills Area Update
- Hunted Saturday afternoon in the youth hunt. The Muckboy crew took
along a local youngster that is interested in getting started in waterfowl
hunting. For more details on this hunt go to the muck-boy
waterfowl report page. Most areas have huntable water conditions, areas 9 to 13 and the 60's still could use more. The DNR is running the field pumps when there is enough water in the ditches. The cover and crops in some areas and zones is beginning to thin. Make sure to do some scouting before selecting your zone. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of 10-28-06 was 6,126 ducks and 498 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday remains at 21,000 ducks and 3000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - Water is at good levels. Area 9 thru 13 - Water is visible in most of the field but requires more. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is now visible in all the zones and there is enough water to set decoys. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - Water is at good levels. Area 58 thru 63 - Water is at good levels. Area 64 thru 69 - Some water in the center of the area is visible but still requires more. |
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images for a larger view  Field Reporter Paul Smith sent this picture in of the results of a afternoon hunt that he had with a buddy on 10-25-06 |
| Oct
-22-06 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to improve
and cover is still in good shape. The DNR is running the field pumps
when there is enough water in the ditches. Note:
Next Saturday 10-28-06 the afternoon hunt will be a youth hunt (ages
10 thru 16) which means your party will only be able to participate
in this draw if you have a youth in your party. Current Conditions: The area bird take as of this morning was 4,928 ducks and 459 geese. The DNR area bird count as of last Monday was 21,000 ducks and 3000 geese. Area 1,2 & 3 - The portable tractor pump continues to run and water continues to rise. Area 9 thru 13 - Water is visible in most of the field. Area 14 thru 19 - Water is at good levels. Area 20 thru 32 - Water is now visible in all the zones and there is enough water to set decoys. Area 45 thru 49 - Water is at good levels. Area 50 thru 54 - The pockets of water are getting larger. Area 58 thru 63 - Water continues to come up and most zones have enough water to set decoys. Area 64 thru 69 - Some water in the center of the area is visible. |
Sorry
no pictures at this time. |
Oct
-15-06 - Bills Area Update
- Checked the area this morning and water conditions continue to
improve and cover is in good shape. The DNR is running the field
pumps when the winds push enough water in to the ditches. |
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images for a larger view
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Oct
-05-06 - Bills Area Update
- This weeks rain and wind has helped the water conditions a little
allowing the DNR to turn some of the pumps on.
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| Sept -24-06 - Bills Area Update - Crops continue to be in great shape. The DNR has started to pump water into the drainage ditches and into the teens, they are pumping when conditions are right, this means North East winds are needed to raise the water levels in the drainage ditches which is required for steady pumping to flood the fields. This morning I also noticed that a few more geese have moved into the area since my last update. | Click images for a larger view
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Aug
-27-06 - Bills Area Update
- The crop report could not be better, I checked all the areas today
and all the crops are looking great. The corn on an average is a least
7 foot and in some sections may be 8 foot tall. The ears are not huge
but are good size and seem to be full see the picture to the right.
Where buckwheat has been planted it also is doing good. The DNR has
been busy mowing the trails and parking lots. I have been around Fish
Point a long time and I can't remember it looking this good for a
long time. The DNR and the Fish Point Wildlife Association deserve
a lot of Thanks. I for one will take the time to Thank them.
 |
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| Jul
-16-06 Bills Area Update-
Crops in all the fields are looking great. Water levels in the refuge
and zone 5 are being pumped up whenever the pumps can be ran. The
youth-priority draw will be on Oct. 28th - (PM hunt) this year. Phragmites
in refuge still looks like its not greening up much. |
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| Jun -11-06 Bills Area Update-All crops are in and looking good. At this point, the spraying that was done last fall in the refuge to kill the Phragmites has worked, there is no sign of new growth. |
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| May -14-06 Bills Area Update - Before this weeks rains the fields were starting to be worked. Many goslings can be seen now. |  |
| Apr-23-06 Bills Area Update - Geese are on their nests and the little ones will be showing up within the next couple of weeks. Use caution along Ringle Rd during this time of year. Many blue wing teal seen in the area at this time. Fields are starting to dry out and if there are no major rains the planting should start on time. |  |
