BY JIM NIEMIEC
NILAND – This first early fall flights of puddle ducks started arriving at refuges the last week of September and according reports coming in from refuge biologists, more flock of sprig and green winged teal are arriving daily. Refuge duck ponds are currently being flooded and should be huntable come opening day. In addition to ducks showing up, there are also small groups of specks winging over wetlands in this southern part of the Pacific flyway.
WON checked in with refuge managers to get an update on the status of each refuge and the following information was passed on.
A good report from Wister was filed by Cris Crecelius, Wildlife Habitat Supervisor II, “We should be at least 90% filled by opening weekend. Right now, we are seeing good numbers of sprig and green winged teal loafing on flooded ponds and there is a good supply of food available. I would think the refuge should offer good gunning come opening weekend and the outlook for the remainder of the season is promising. In addition to new arriving ducks at Wister, the staff also reports seeing a few small flocks of speckled belly geese flying over the ponds.”
 offered a lot of assistance in helping refuges rebuild ponds, repair dikes, and improve wetlands at all refuges this past off-season. Wister received help from CWA for hunt sites W12A and 312 A&B on 621 acres of wetlands and hunt sites 513 and 115, consisting of 532 acres, underwent complete reconstruction.</p>
<p>CWA also did major work at the Palo Verde Ecological Area. This wildlife area is located on the lower Colorado River just north of Blythe on the California side. The CWA crew leveled 360 acres of farmable land and then last month they mowed 135 acres of winter wheat and 60 acres of wetlands were refurbished.</p>
<p>This <em>WON</em> Sr. Hunting Writer received some bad news from Bob Corbett, owner of the Cibola Sportsman’s Club, located south of Cibola on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. Corbett emailed this writer that the club’s South Ranch will not be offering goose hunting this coming season. Seems that fall/winter migrations of large Canada geese into this valley has dropped off to less than 1,500 honkers and they have not offered up much in the way of gunning opportunities. According to Corbett, the ranch will be spending this year in redesigning fresh water pond(s) and goose hunting fields. <em>WON</em> will keep hunters advised on the status of South Ranch.</p>
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