Toppenish

Flying Roast Beef · 09-12-2005, 11:09 AM

Just an update. I recieved a call today from the maintnance guys at Toppenish. No water and not much hope for any this season. Bummer.

Acuta · 09-13-2005, 03:25 AM

Odd, I'm not sure what normal there is, but I drive by every week (admittedly at night) and can always see the moon reflected off water. The canal that runs under 97 still has water in it, too. Wish I knew something of that refuge to be more helpful. Would like to hunt there sometime. Looks neat around there. They're harvesting mint fields around there now, smells wonderful.

Eric

waterfowlin101 · 09-13-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

They're harvesting mint fields around there now, smells wonderful.

I was talking to a mint farmer the other day...they pretty much steam the mint and collect a highly potent clear liquid which is later sold. I touched it to my tounge

. So anyway, this mint lquid was in a 55 gallon drum. How much do ya think that is worth? Any guesses? I'll post an answer after a few guesses are made!

Jon

Flying Roast Beef · 09-13-2005, 01:15 PM

Well the folks who live and work there said the creek where they get the water for the blinds is dry.

jberry · 09-15-2005, 06:38 AM

You might see a little water in there once they shut the irrigation down and it backs up into there, but then they can't hold it and it washes right out. That refuge has gone from quality hunting to worthless in the past 4 years. Kevin(the head maintenance person there) blames the indians but I don't see the USF&W doing anything else to get water on it. And to top it off they go through and disc certain parts of the refuge every year to "promote growth of duck friendly vegetation", but it basically makes the spot unhuntable for 2 seasons since it's too muddy and there isn't any food for the birds. It doesn't produce again until the "unwanted" plants grow back and firm up the soil. This year they disced the closed section right off Hwy 97 and a large section of hunting area. So the ducks really won't want to sit on the only safe water available.

Really sad, I'm almost to the point of hoping the indians take it back and do something productive with it.

And don't get me started about the wait in line to get a spot there. Opening weekend usually gets people into line on Thursday!

moocher man · 09-15-2005, 07:12 AM

$1000.00 per barrel!