2008 Conditions Report

Prior rd. refuges were holding approximately 5k-8k birds at time of drive through. Vic reported that this was lighter than previous days.

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South prior road fields 61-66

Flooded corn field strips. 30yrd decoy strip cut on north side of the rows, slightly narrower decoy opening on south side.. Buckwheat throughout the rest of the block. Very impressive corn and buckwheat crop this year. Expect skim water to 6" in this unit.

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North Prior road fields 55-60

Flooded corn field strips. Crop was beans i believe, currently harvested. This field has been chisel plowed all throughout except 30-40 yards out where decoys would be. Will make for tough cripple retreiving. Corn quality looks great. Expect skim water in the high end of the field (55-56)to 6"-12" low end of field (59-60).

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North Miller Rd. 9-14

Corn Strips with bean crop between. Beans have been harvested, waiting on farmer to turn a little bit of ground in here before flooding. Corn looks great, Expect flooding to happen during first week of season and should have 6" of water by second weekend. Sorry no pic's. This field will be huntable on opener...although it will be dry.

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North Miller Triangle 6-7-8

Flooded corn field strips. Crop was beans, harvested and flooded. Corn looks great and good water in these fields. Expect 4" to 6" of water in these fields.

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North Miller 1-5

Flooded corn field strips. Crop is scheduled to be harvested this weekend we hope. Should be ready for second weekend. DRY 1-5 CLOSED FOR OPENER!

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30-38 Big Field 30's

Solid block of corn. Unharvested! scheduled to harvest this week and might possibly have some low area flooding by 2nd weekend. DRY CLOSED FOR OPENER!

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39-48 Big Field 40's

Flooded corn field strips. 30yrd decoy strip cut on east side of the rows, slightly narrower decoy opening on west side.. Buckwheat throughout the rest of the block. Very impressive corn and buckwheat crop this year. Expect 4"-12" of water in these fields depending on land elevation.

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49-52 "Triangle's"

Marsh has really tooken of this year. Nice cattail marsh in the center of the unit, less cattail (cover) growth as you move north in the unit. Beware of 2 deep ponds/holes in the south side of the unit. Expect 6"-12" or greater of water in this unit.

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29

Marsh at full pull, looks identical to last year but a maybe even a little better. Looking a lot like a little federal marsh. Expect 6"-12" or greater of water in this unit.

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23-28 (old federal marsh)

Marsh at full pool, looks identical to last year...surface growth is still floating at the top and will make tough travel with outboard. River levels are good and should be accessible via shiawassee cutoff with no problems...shallow but passable unless we get stiff SW wind. Marsh looks great. Expect 12" or greater of water in this unit. Usually 3ft or so deep in the middle of the pool.

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77-117 Flooded Woods

Lots of smartweed growth in the flooded timber units. Holding the average amount of birds for this time of year. 2 log jams on the shiawassee this year so water is being pushed around through and around it causing more waterways to open up. Cover is good, water depth is perfect. Water levels fluctuate by where your at. Many deep holes but most all of it is wadeable to a certain extent. Watch your step.

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137-150 Rookery

Water is at full pool, maintained throughout the summer. Cattail growth looks to be excessive compared to years past. Good cover throughout the unit. Water levels vary here. Most of the huntable cattail areas are usually 6"-18" deep.

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15-19 River Blinds

Water levels are up from last year but down on the long term average. River blinds should be accessible but shallow. Water levels fluctuate by conditions.