Yardbird Chatter - December 15th, 2006
Welcome back to the Web Yardbirders. We met an abrupt end to our previous chat board with the quick demise of our web-hoster. All appears to be back in order. A few changes you will note in the new set up. We streamlined the general discussion forums with the hope that people would start using them for (a) reports on the various properties or from other hunts they go on, (b) use it to coordinate hunts and getting parties together (numerous requests from the members for a site to go to pick up other yardbirders when they are hunting solo), or (c) just general hunting discussions etc. So keep an eye on the Coop as it develops. And remember: please post on the web prior to making any hunts. This is vital to our system and makes the hunt coordination better for all.
Results from the first weekend of the second split were very mixed but mostly to the bad side. This was true thoughout the region from my informal Talley. This will most likely change as we get closer to x-mas and the weather becomes more seasonable.
Water and Grass: Precip on the prairie has been very sparse since the end of October. The abundance of water at the start of the first split has evaporated and now many of our ponds are getting a little low. In those cases where we can get more water, we have done so. In the others, we will just have to wait for more from the sky. Grass is a problem in many places. The warm temps are the culprit and probably a problem that is here to stay absent a hard freeze. We have had the farmers do what they can to eradicate the grass and many of us have taken our four-wheelers after the grass with some success, but unfortunately, our bed is probably made on this until next season. The long term solution is more plowing in the prep before the season. The dry conditions over the past few years made it unnecessary. The on-slaught of rain this year made many of the fields unplowable during the set up phase. Next year we will plow much earlier in an attempt to keep the weeds and grass down. Remember that some grass and vegetation is good as it provides cover and seeds for later in the season.
Speaking of grass, don’t forget it’s the time of year to start moving away from the blinds and finding that natural cover near where the birds want to be. Pulling the ducks to the side of the pond where the blind is located may not be the ticket to more birds on the strap. Finding a clump of grass on an end of the pond where the birds want to be however should put more birds on the strap. And if you still don’t think you are in the spot, pick up and go to that place where they want to be. It will take 15 minutes but usually pays-off to be in the spot.
Second Dove Split: is approaching starting December 26th, 2006. I plan a hunt out at my 290 property the day it opens. Gate will open around 1. Stop by and bring a family member if you like. Early scouting out there showed a good number of doves around the usual spots.
Holidays: The Christmas Holidays are around the corner. Stay tuned to the web for Holiday openings and closings of the properties. All properties will be open the 25th and 26th. Coordinate family and guest opportunities with the other lease members. We know it's tough to sneak out if you don’t take the brother-in-law but make sure there is room in the blind based on the others that are hunting that day.
Upcoming Calendar:
Dec 23rd, 2006 - Sandhill Cranes Opens (2 per man/day)
Dec 26th, 2006 - South Zone and Central Zone Dove Re-opens
