Fern Ridge warning?

Bill Monroe · 12-10-2005, 09:20 AM

Heard from a pretty good source that the Corps of Engineers may be about to draw down Fern Ridge again...perhaps this coming week...Dunno for sure, however...was told they would take it all the way down.
50,000 ducks there this week...they'll either come back north or head on to California.

BrotherWolf · 12-10-2005, 05:24 PM

I just dont get it.

Why in the world would they do that. its looks better than it ever has. :whazzup:

MarshBum · 12-10-2005, 06:59 PM

Bummer.

So much for the late January draw. I bet there won't even be spoonies hanging around by then if the water is all gone.

Thanks for the heads up Bill.

MarshBum

The_Duck_Master · 12-10-2005, 07:03 PM

Not sure why but that place is currently INFESTED with spoonies. Went down for a hunt with a buddy today and that was just about all that was flyin. The DFW reports show the same thing. I believe the harvest has been about 60% spoonies. If there are other kinds of ducks on the refuge they're certainly not leaving the safety of the refuge. Really odd...

waterfowlin101 · 12-10-2005, 08:11 PM

So Eric?? Did you kill spoonie limits?? Where are the pics??

Jon

duckdog310 · 12-10-2005, 08:43 PM

That may end up being a benefit to hunters. Here's my thought:

Currently, the 50K birds have no reason to leave the lake. They have everything they need, including a good supply of food courtesy of a wet spring and an empty lake. If the water is drawn down, the birds (hypothetically) will be forced to occupy the adjacent areas. . .namely, Fisher, Royal, East and West Coyote. If that ends up happening, get ready for some MAD shootin'!

We'll see what happens. Knowing my luck. . the birds'll head for Cali.

The_Duck_Master · 12-10-2005, 09:07 PM

Well Jon, IF I shot a limit of spoonies that would be quite a picture wouldn't it!

12-10-2005, 09:09 PM

I think the dam has severe structural dammage and they don't think it would be a good thing for it to fail.

MarshBum · 12-14-2005, 12:23 PM

Is there an update on this?

MarshBum

oregonoutdoors · 12-14-2005, 12:40 PM

I was out there on Wed plenty of water.

Bill Monroe · 12-14-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Is there an update on this?

MarshBum

The corps is drawing it down 10 feet, but not empty...result will be water is farther away from the new vegetation, but still should be plenty for roosting ducks...questions are whether the boat hunters will have enough water to hunt (Coyote units are ok) and whether the ducks will disperse around the valley or head south...

hunt program continues...

Just heard all this today...

duckdog310 · 12-17-2005, 10:05 AM

I spoke with Wayne Morrow (the head Fernie ODFW guy) this AM after hunting standby out at East Coyote Unit. He said the water was being substantially drained off of the lake to bring it back down to "business as usual" levels. The water had been up as a test for the dam work. Wayne hypothesized this may cause the birds to come off the lake and circle for better food sources, but he suspected most will just hang tight on what little water may remain.

He confirmed the 47K bird count.

Quack Attack · 12-17-2005, 11:45 AM

How did you do this am? Were any ducks other than spoonies flying?

Mrduckman · 12-17-2005, 12:07 PM

I too would like to know how you did my son has a youth hunt there next weekend. Were there any birds flying to speak of.

duckdog310 · 12-17-2005, 01:27 PM

There were very few birds in the air. The vast majority of the shooting was done at the prescribed shooting time. We saw a few flocks, mostly spoonies, working decoys.

I'm guessing if you have a permit and the pre-assigned blind selection number isn't better than five or six, I wouldn't bother if you're going with the intent to kill birds. On the other hand, if you don't mind a short walk and enjoy the first light of morning, by all means head out there!

It seems in past years the hunting has improved as the season progresses. I always put in for the latest January hunt I can and have done well (most of the time). I suspect lower water levels at the lake coupled with more northern birds moving down will result in better success out there.