Mayberry 2012

(Note: For those who are not familiar with Mayberry, that’s what we call our Sherman Island duck club. We owned it for years and sold it to the State (under threat of condemnation) in the ’90s. Since that time we’ve been in a lease agreement with management of the property our responsibility – until about four years ago. That’s when California decided to put a new program into place. We still have a hunting lease, but do not manage the property. This update may interest those who have followed my duck hunting and property management stories on this blog.)

The Mayberry transformation is complete. There is no longer any habitat that is prime for dabbling ducks and wading birds. The property has been changed from a shallow-water seasonal wetland to a deep-water marsh inhabited by tules (hardstem bulrush) and cattail, but very little wildlife. Yes there are a few river otters, fish and blackbirds, but a census of wildlife would show a fraction of  the inhabitants from just a few years ago. To be fair, it is  a fact that the bulk of migrating waterfowl have not reached the area yet, so things will get better.

I’m on the outside looking in, but the way I understand it, the primary purpose of the ongoing project at Mayberry is two fold – study the subsidence of delta islands and also evaluate carbon sequestration associated with the dense stands of tules and cattail. It is hoped that covering the land with water will stop the sinking of the islands by reducing oxidation of the highly organic soils. And, that a study of tules and cattail will provide insight into ways to improve air quality and reduce global warming trends.

These are lofty goals, but the losses associated with this study are by far more clear, to me, than the gains.

Mayberry looks like a lake.

During  my last three trips to Mayberry, I’ve not spotted a duck on the ponds, not even a coot. The closest I’ve seen to a duck has been a cormorant that landed on the water. The good news, I can take my fishing rod out with me on opening day of duck season.

There is still hope for some waterfowl activity, but it’s sketchy. I’ve been told that there are a couple pair of honkers using the property and the shallow seasonal ponds next door hold quite a few ducks that could possibly flyover Mayberry. Maybe ducks will begin to use the property as the waterfowl migration arrives, but there is very little food for them.

Here’s a photo of a shallow pond next door. This is what we used to see at Mayberry before the ponds were converted to permanent water.

The sad part of the story is that 300 acres of great duck and shorebird habitat has been destroyed. It’s too bad that at least some of the property wasn’t left as seasonal marsh. It would have been a nice compromise and it would have allowed for more use by migratory waterfowl – both game and non-game. Or better yet, they could have left the seasonal marsh in place and converted 300 acres of cow pasture to marsh. I guess the pasture was too valuable.

Thousands of waterfowl formerly used Mayberry as a significant winter feeding area.

The bottom line is that management of the property in is the control of others and I have been blessed with great opportunity to hunt there for many years, so no matter what happens, I will always be thankful that my partners and I have had such incredible good fortune.

The good old days with shallow marsh and seasonl wetland habitat.

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Geese Plentiful at Webb Tract

The geese were vulnerable during high winds, but hard to hit.

As is typical for mid-winter, geese have packed onto Webb Tract in the Delta. Between four hunters we brought down 17 over two days of hunting last week. As usual, the most productive method of take is pass shooting. That means finding a flyway between two grinds of geese and shooting fairly long shots as geese pass overhead.

They’re not easy to hit in the strong December winds.

Here’s a short video to give you the idea of how many geese were on hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXVkBzmrsQs

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2010/11 at Mayberry a Sad Season

The Mayberry subsidence prevention and tule growing program is in full swing. A permanent marsh has now completely replaced the seasonal marsh we created over a period of years and we sure miss it.

In past years we would sit in camp at dusk and watch thousands of waterfowl descend onto the property. Now a handful of ducks arrive. There’s just nothing there for them.

Deep water and a lack of duck food seem to be the biggest problems with attracting ducks at Mayberry. The new channels are about four feet deep, about double the maximum attractive to puddle ducks. Open water doesn’t produce good cover. The ducks just aren’t using the property. This is pretty much as expected.

Seasonal marsh was a rare and treasured commodity that few people appreciated. It is unfortunate that it was not a higher priority for preservation. I am very saddened by its loss and it can never be reserected.

Maybe we’ll find a silver lining in this cloud next year after the marsh has time to develop, but permanent water will never be as attractive to wintering waterfowl as seasonal marsh that contained a variety of the wetland plants ducks feed on during the harsh winter weather.

So far this year I”ve bagged a dozen ducks in eight days of hunting from the Final Approach duck boat. I’ve enjoyed some success by laying low in the remaining cover, but I’ve changed my policy from the “all greenheads” days. So far this year six of my ducks have been greenheads, one hen mallard and the rest a mix of other puddle ducks – even a couple spoonies.

The levees are beginning to sprout grass and the ponds are mostly deep open water.

We bagged about eight roosters during pheasant season, pretty good considering the lack of upland habitat.

I loaded the Final Approach duck boat onto a trailer for transport to Webb Tract. Later this week I'll find out how it works in the flooded corn.

With a month left to hunt ducks, I’m planning to turn up the heat and see if I can bag a few waterfowl. So far I’m behind schedule.

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Many Changes at Mayberry this Year

Our duck club on Sherman Island has undergone a tremendous overhaul this summer. Formerly a seasonal marsh, it is now a permanent marsh. This is a drastic change (the equivalent of a sex change), but we hope it will work out.  

Yesterday we raised several of our blinds in an effort to prepare for the changes.  

We uncovered several of our blinds and raised them so they will work at the new water level.

 The “new” Mayberry will have water year round and the depths will as much as five feet, with much of the area two feet or less. Wading may be a little treacherous at times. 

Here’s one of our barrels ready to be buried. Looks like a redneck did the work. Guess I’ll take the credit. 

The boards were "carefully" placed around the blind to make sure it does not float up.

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Good News for a Good Organization

California Waterfowl, America’s largest state waterfowl and wetlands organization, announced today that John Carlson, Jr., has been named as the new President.  Carlson is a lifelong outdoorsman and is widely respected for his passion for and dedication to California’s natural resources.  Carlson will continue to serve as the Fish and Game Commission Executive Director until he officially begins his new position on July 8.  Carlson was selected by the Board of Directors during a North American search to replace Dr. Robert McLandress, who stepped down from the position at the end of 2009.
 
“John has a unique blend of qualities and experience that make him the ideal leader for California Waterfowl,” explained Bill Wright, Chairman of the Board of Directors, “he is a biologist with a penchant for leadership.  His extensive experience is critical for advancing our mission:  the preservation, protection, and enhancement of California’s waterfowl resources, wetlands, and hunting heritage.”
 
Carlson is leaving a distinguished career with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), where he dedicated over 21 years to the conservation and management of the state’s fish and wildlife.  He served in several leadership roles, overseeing both game and non-game birds and mammals, and eventually was appointed as Chief of the Wildlife Programs Branch.  In this position, Carlson oversaw all DFG hunting programs, including waterfowl.  In 2006, Carlson’s expertise in biology and policy were recognized, and he was appointed as the Executive Director for the California Fish and Game Commission.
 
California Fish and Game Commission President, Jim Kellogg, stated, “The Commission’s loss is California Waterfowl’s gain.  I will miss John’s dedication and expertise, but I am pleased he will lead a great conservation organization in achieving its important mission!”
 
DFG Director, John McCamman, also acknowledged Carlson’s impact.  “This is a significant loss to our Department, and we appreciate his 21 years of service to the people and wildlife of California.  However, I am pleased for California Waterfowl and John and look forward to continuing our work together on issues involving waterfowl, wetlands, and our hunting heritage.”
 
Carlson was born in Illinois and began hunting pheasants and ducks with his father as soon as he was strong enough to carry a shotgun.  He moved to California in 1981 to work and pursue a degree in Wildlife Management at Humboldt State University.  Upon graduating in 1987, he landed a job with California Waterfowl leading a mallard nesting study at Honey Lake and Ash Creek Wildlife Areas in northeastern California.
 
“California Waterfowl’s cooperative research with DFG on nesting mallards starting in 1985 was innovative and inspiring and it started my sincere appreciation of the Association’s important role in California,” recounts Carlson.  ”Back in those days our state was largely recognized primarily as a wintering area.  The results from those studies clearly showed that California produced many of its own mallards.”
 
Carlson’s interest in nesting waterfowl inspired him to attend graduate school at Iowa State University.  He studied pintail in the heart of the Prairie Pothole region with leading scientists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  His resulting Master’s thesis was one of the first attempts to use computers to model breeding pintail.
 
“I am honored and humbled to be given this great opportunity to join the California Waterfowl team.  In addition, I am really looking forward to being able to focus my efforts on waterfowl and wetlands conservation and hunting heritage issues once again,” admits Carlson, “especially alongside the dedicated members, volunteers, staff, and partners of California Waterfowl.”

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