The wetland renovation project at Fountain Grove Conservation Area is approximately 70% complete. Dry conditions throughout the past summer and early fall provided ideal conditions for completing dirt work activities in Pools 1, 2, and 3. Additionally, all replacement and new water control structures in Pools 1, 2, and 3 have been poured although the internal parts which actually make the water control structures functional are on order so have not yet been installed. The H and J pool complex is still under active construction and will remain closed to all public access.
Given the amount of work competed, we are reopening portions of the area that have been closed since early July when the project began. On Thursday, Oct 11th, all of Pools 2 and 3 and that portion of Pool 1 south of the railroad tracks will open to archery deer and turkey hunting. Also, as is the case every year, waterfowl refuges will go into effect October 15 and these portions of the area (Pool 1 and East Side Refuge) will remain closed to all public access through February 15th. The East side of the area which includes the Mac Pools and Stinson, will be open to waterfowl hunting as usual with all waterfowl hunting opportunity allocated through a morning drawing. At this time, we do not anticipate having sufficient habitat to offer any hunting opportunity during the North Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunting season which occurs Oct 20 and 21st so the area will be closed to waterfowl hunting during that weekend.
Our water management activities this fall for Pools 1, 2, and 3 include adding some shallow water to the lower end of Pool 1 in such a way that we do not interfere with the continuing construction activities in H and J Pools. Also, as conditions allow, we will add some shallow water to Pools 2 and 3 realizing that we do not have full management capability due to the incomplete water control structures. We also are constrained by the amount of water we can put on the newly renovated levees. Our primary goal is to not only provide shallowly flooded habitat for both resident and migratory wetland wildlife but also to provide waterfowl hunting opportunity where feasible. We will continuously monitor the amount of water and bird use that occurs in Pools 2 and 3 and evaluate whether there is any potential for waterfowl hunting opportunity. Any opportunity in these pools will be dependent on the amount of available water throughout the fall and will be allocated through the morning draw. Also, no water blinds will be available this year so hunting opportunity, if any, in Pools 2 and 3 will be walkin-type hunting. As always, please feel free to contact local area staff (660) 938-4127 or call the Chillicothe office at (660) 646-6122 for further updates.
