Well, deer season has already started with archery. I have seen several small game and big game hunters on the areas the last couple of weeks. Last week, we received several inches of rain on the areas making conditions very muddy!!! I just wanted to give you an update on the areas.
John Tully WMA
We started the levee construction at the Fig Field Unit of John Tully WMA two weeks ago. However, after one week of hard work, we have stopped all dirt work for the time being. Depending on future rainfalls and Mississippi River levels, we hope to continue our work. This time of year is hard to get any dirt moved due to the ground becoming muddy for long periods of time. All food plots on area are up and very green!! We have received many waterfowl questions about the Fig Field Unit and Fullen North Tract of John Tully WMA. Will there be blinds? How many? Are the woods next to the Fig Field included with the draw? Is the Fullen North Tract going to be in the draw? When will it be flooded? I am going to try and answer a few of these questions. There will NOT be any blinds on the areas built. There will be staked positions in which to hunt from. At full pool, we hope to have at least 6 spots in the field and 3 in the timber. We hope to have at least 3-4 spots on the Fullen North Tract. Yes, the woods next to the fig field unit will be included in the draw. Yes, the Fullen North Tract is going to be in the draw. There are NO wells or pumps on these areas. All water will be caught by natural rainfall through runoff from the fields. We will close the gates and start filling the areas after the crops have been harvested. We hope to close gates starting November 1st; however, until all crops are harvested, the gates will be open. At the present time, this is our only solution. The number of positions that we will draw will depend on how much water is present at the time of the drawing. If there is not enough water on the area for at least one spot, we will NOT have a draw that week. I will keep you updated weekly through this site. Remember, the drawings will take place at the John Tully Field Office on Lightfoot-Luckett Road on the Monday nights prior to the hunts.
Shelby Forest WMA/Eagle Lake Refuge/Bomprezzi Unit
We finished working on the old Preacher House Road on Shelby Forest WMA. This road will not be open to vehicle traffic this year, but hope to get some gravel for next year. The road was planted with a food plot winter mix to help control erosion. All ten food plots on area are up and green!!! We are still working on getting electricity to our new shop at Shelby Forest. Due to digging a trench to run electricity between the check station and the shop, the sides of the roads are very muddy!! Therefore, stay on the main road!! We have already started prepping for pumping at Eagle Lake Refuge. We will begin pumping somewhere around November 1st, depending on when the farmer starts harvesting. As I learned earlier this morning, hunters that applied to waterfowl hunt on Shelby Forest this year can go online now and check their draw status. Hunters that did get drawn will be getting letters in the mail by the end of next week. Make sure you read all instructions on the letter. So, hopefully you got drawn!!! One of the questions I keep getting about the area is, "Can we still hunt other areas on the Park?" Yes, you can hunt other areas of the park. These areas will be first come, first serve. All waterfowl hunting on the Park will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (just like the drawn sites). Big game and small game hunting will continue to be on Monday, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Just all waterfowl hunting will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays.
President's Island
The doe hunt for President's Island will begin tomm. Scout day will be Thursday, and hunting will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I will update next week on the number of deer taken on the island. It is looking like it will be better conditions this year compared to last year's weather.
Until next time,
Chris
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