Milford Wildlife Area Waterfowl Report
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Waterfowl numbers |
Duck Season is closed. Dark Goose season is closed The Snow Goose conservation season is open until April 30th. Very few snow geese have been observed on the area, singles in flocks of Canada geese only. The majority of the lake and wetland pools are open. Colder temps are forecasted the next several days which may cause some icing. |
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Lake level |
1144.63 Conservation Pool 1144.4 The dam is releasing 400 CFS. Republican River inflow is 341 CFS |
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Hunting conditions |
No activites/hunting allowed in the Steve Lloyd Wetland/Refuge. Motorized boats are only allowed in Mall Creek wetland, electric motors are considered "motorized". All other wetlands are open to NON motorized boats and walk in hunting. The Mall Creek boat ramp was badly damaged by flood waters. It is not functional for launching boats this year. |
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Expected hunting success |
Variable. Due to the 14 foot flood we had this year, wetlands are either still holding flood water or have dried up since the lake has returned to conservation pool level. Habitat and food resources are scarce in most of the wetland areas and lake shore. Many of the wetlands are completely bare mud or have some water but no flooded vegetation. We are done pumping Zach Hudec for the season due to the freezing temperatures. The youth area pump canal is leaking, despite recent efforts to repair it, onto private property so we will not be able to pump that area this year. |
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Comments |
Do NOT drive on dikes. Vehicles disrupt and discourage the waterfowl from using the wetland areas. We have had several dikes being damaged due to unauthorized vehicles driving on them. Scouting is best done on foot to evaluate bird numbers and habitat conditions. Please report any vehicles on dikes and anyone seen disturbing our pumps. Without the pumps in optimal condition we are unable to pump the wetlands to their greatest potential. Remember- a free permit/ survey card is required to hunt in the wetland areas on Milford Wildlife Area. These are available at all of the marsh parking areas. The information collected and comments received are very useful in establishing future management goals for the area. |