Duck River Wildlife refuge

[WestTn Huntin man]

We did a drive through of The Refuge today. Thin ice and snow covered 95% of it. 1st time we have ever been that we saw Zero ducks feeding in the Refuge. There were a lot of birds flying in different directions. We did see one bird land. I'm hoping the more Knowledgeable experts may help me ID. Pretty sure it was a Goose . Definitely Not a Canadian. Mostly Black ,maybe not quite as big as a Canadian. This bird was by itself wondered if he was off he=is normal migration route and lost.Had sort of a rough Landing on solid ground and went into the stubble in the field and blended in real good.

 

[TnKen]

Speck maybe

 

[TimberMan]

Brant? They can travel this way even though it is very rare

 

[Dodge Man]

Brant? They can travel this way even though it is very rare

Would be my guess, we have them listed in the kill numbers so they have to show up occasionally.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Speck maybe

I know This is not in the normal range of White Fronted Geese My wife and I agree it was very similar to this one. ????

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Brant? They can travel this way even though it is very rare

I looked very hard in my bird books and considered a Brant . Ruled him out because it was so unlikely. We both got 1 real good look through a spotting scope before he disappeared. Definitely feeding on solid ground . Cut-over field.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

I looked very hard in my bird books and considered a Brant . Ruled him out because it was so unlikely. We both got 1 real good look through a spotting scope before he disappeared. Definitely feeding on solid ground . Cut-over field.

Orange coloring to bill and feet .

 

[BSK]

1st time we have ever been that we saw Zero ducks feeding in the Refuge.

That's just shocking.

 

[Dodge Man]

I know This is not in the normal range of White Fronted Geese My wife and I agree it was very similar to this one. ????

Sounds like a juvenile Speck or white front goose then.

 

[Hduke86]

@gasman could tell you exactly what it is

 

[cbhunter]

@gasman could tell you exactly what it is

 

[Redfox]

I was down there Christmas Day. The water is very low and of course frozen. I went to where they had the road blocked and saw several thousand in the mouth of the duck. Some were trading back towards grassy so there must have been something open back there. Least water and least birds I have ever seen. Specs are common on the refuge.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

I was down there Christmas Day. The water is very low and of course frozen. I went to where they had the road blocked and saw several thousand in the mouth of the duck. Some were trading back towards grassy so there must have been something open back there. Least water and least birds I have ever seen. Specs are common on the refuge.

We go several times every year about this time. I knew they had been working on the road,didn't know it was still closed.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

That's just shocking.

I'm thinking it is covered up today with the thaw. I guess with the lack of traffic deer were feeding.

 

[BSK]

When you're in the northern end of the Bottoms and looking at the high bluffs across the Duck River, you're looking at my place.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

When you're in the northern end of the Bottoms and looking at the high bluffs across the Duck River, you're looking at my place.

Nice Drive from Waverly to Cuba landing through there. I can understand your neighbor problems. Pretty remote and some rough looking places.

 

[BSK]

Nice Drive from Waverly to Cuba landing through there. I can understand your neighbor problems. Pretty remote and some rough looking places.

And for some reason, that area has become "off-gridder Mecca."

 

[volboy]

We were there late yesterday afternoon and all was still frozen. Didn't see much. Down past where the road is closed the sky got almost black as a bunch flew up from the fields past where the road is blocked. Also saw 2 eagles, 1 mature and 1 juvy. I was telling wife about the lack of ducks.when we would drive through there in 80s and 90s fields would be full of ducks and geese and would see lots of deer. I don't see many deer anymore either.

 

[Bo Diddley]

And for some reason, that area has become "off-gridder Mecca."

I have a place across the river in Benton County and we are seeing the same.

 

[BSK]

I don't see many deer anymore either.

That's because the Refuge intentionally wiped out the deer population with 12 years of Earn-A-Buck harvest regulations. The deer were eating the crops meant for the migratory birds.

 

[volboy]

Rode thru ther this afternoon and it was about the same as Tuesday as ducks and geese fly but none on ground but did see about a dozen deer. Also at the beginning by where lot of people bow fish from the bank, there is this blind set up beside the big tree. Anyone know what this is for? I didn't think there is any hunting down there allowed.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Rode thru ther this afternoon and it was about the same as Tuesday as ducks and geese fly but none on ground but did see about a dozen deer. Also at the beginning by where lot of people bow fish from the bank, there is this blind set up beside the big tree. Anyone know what this is for? I didn't think there is any hunting down there allowed.

Thanks for the update. I wonder how long the road will be blocked.?? We usually go out there and look for eagles every year, but see most of them further back.

 

[volboy]

I havent heard how long it will be closed. I will try to ask when down there again in a few days.. We usually see eagles on the right, past the new "blind or tent" in the group of trees about 300 yds off the road. Then just before the 1st road on left they fly around that field and in trees down that road at the bend . Then past where the road is closed along both side of the road in the long straight stretch. Also on the left in that straight stretch just over halfway there is a nest where you can usually see at least one in the nest in January and February with the little ones.

On a few occasions I have seen a couple Golden eagles there as well. Saw 2 last year. think I saw one today. Also saw 2 adult balds today