Thanks to everyone who has contacted me in regards to the decrease in the turkey and pheasant population. We discussed several different predators. I found out about a couple of “new” ones that we didn’t think about. It requires a bit of a story.

Do you know about George Stump’s dream that he shared with the Dorhman brothers years ago? If you go down K-4 east past Claflin to the big power plant on the north side of the road you are close. Take Road Number 7 which is the first road on the west end of the power plant north for about a mile and you will see magic. That refuge has more geese than you can imagine. They welcome visitors and it is well worth the effort to go take a look. You might do it pretty quickly now — the geese are getting ready to migrate and it will be over until the fall.

Stumps has several pairs of resident geese that lay eggs and hatch young in tubs and nests. Breeding success is good. There are few survivors among these goslings. 

Mink appear in the spring and get the babies when they are just getting into the water. Bullfrogs also get some of the babies. 

Trapping the mink is tough because they are not in the refuge during the winter. They appear in the spring when the geese are hatching their babies. It’s not legal to trap in the spring. Baby geese and pheasants must taste good to a large number of predators. I don’t have an answer to the mink problem. Any ideas? I can help with the bullfrogs by putting them in the skillet! Frog legs are good!

It is almost time for the spring migration to start. I’m always ready for avocets and dowitchers to appear. These shorebirds just take my breath. We will soon be having thousands of these beautiful visitors on their way north to the breeding grounds. Stay tuned!

Hunting season is over. Seems like I see more white fronts than I did during the season. I hope the commissioners and the department start working on a way to manage out-of-state traffic and such so that local Kansas hunters have more opportunities to use our land. Several states limit hunters to specific times or dates to hunt their wildlife. I hope our folks take a look at the ideas of other states and follow the successful programs.

The ducks have begun to make their appearance. There are LOTS of pintails in the Bottoms right now—they are dressed for the dance and are beautiful. Other species are also showing up, but the pintails are stars right now.

The heavy work continues at the Bottoms and you can see the results of all the work. Now we need some rain — as usual.

Go take a tour of our marsh and be amazed!

Heads up for the upcoming Ducks Unlimited banquet in Hoisington. Tickets go fast and this super program that Kim and Gene Schneweis and other local heroes manage continues to be famous in our state. They put huge amounts of effort and thought into this event. Don’t miss it!

Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.