Eric and his crew have done a fantastic job preparing the grounds - read more below
October 7, 2021
Senachwine Club Grounds Report
Grounds Committee Members: Dr. Mike Novak, Dr. John Plante, Ed Rogan, Blake Hiltabrand
Senachwine Members,
We had absolutely perfect planting conditions this spring. In fact, when I visited the grounds June 24th, all the corn had been planted almost everywhere including Hawkeye and was up and growing. All of ragweed south including the timber holes and Annex were prepped for millet and buckwheat.
It was the best I’ve ever seen the grounds look in the spring with plenty of time to grow the crops.
The next day after I left the grounds, it started to rain. The Chicago area received inches of rain over a long period which of course ran down through our area. The river and Jenkins flooded for weeks, and we lost everything. The water remained for the most part of a month. So, the new normal is that we expect a flood every year.
Around July 22, we were able to replant the river holes and center section with 87 day corn. This is about as late as we could possibly plant our “normal” corn. As things dried out on the rest of Jenkins we planted buckwheat and millet where we could and managed good weed feed by Eric J’s mowing practices. In addition to all this, we attempted to plant a newer variety of very short statured 65 day corn.
Although since the flood occurred, it has been exceptionally dry, the corn had a good start, and is doing well.
The BOD toured the grounds last week and things looked pretty good. The corn is about mature now and will start drying. Full size corn is available in all the river holes and the center section of Hills and J-10. From J1-J8, there is a good crop of buckwheat and millet. As you travel south of J-1, the planting of millet, buckwheat and 65 day corn, becomes less and less due to how wet it was and we just ran out of time. These areas as well as the west side timber holes were managed for favorable weeds such as Pigweed that is a favorite of Teal.
Due to the flooding, none of the planned grounds work could get done this summer. Really, the only thing planned was levee maintenance south of the #4 ditch tube on the outer Meadow levee.
It has been very warm in the valley lately. Currently there are good numbers of Wood Ducks, some Mallards, and a few pintails. Also some large flocks of Greenwing teal have been observed. The forecast cooler weather should move some more ducks into our area.
The Ranger on the west side is now located at R. Schroeder’s place under his covered building just to the north of his house. There should be a gas can there as well. If you use the Ranger to travel to Nonnenmann or the West side, it is now OK to drive along Dick’s levee south and along the ditch between the road and Winship’s crop field to get to the access. Please do not drive in the crop field.
A new well-groomed trail is available for travel with the Ranger. When you travel to the corner of our property going east, take a hard left and go north about a hundred yards, then turn east and into the creek crossing area.
The following is a description of the available hunting areas at SC at this time.
*Nonnenmann property is in good shape with some planted feed(millet) and good weed seed. There are 3 blinds, two at the Jodi hole and one at the Harold hole. The additional 3rd blind is across the pond from the pit blind. We will have a Grumman over there to retrieve ducks and place decoys because of the muck.
If the creek is over the floor of the Ranger, do not cross it. It can be waded across when it cannot be crossed in the Ranger. Be careful on the west side and go with someone who has been there before.
The Ranger is for duck hunting use only. Deer hunting has been moved west of the creek and north of Read’s property. Reed’s lease to Gary Fountain who has access through our property to Reed’s.
*Boats and decoys are available at Governors Point and Lake Mistake.
*The two Feather’s 40 holes are open to hunt at this time. Both holes will be in the same draw as the rest of the property.
*River holes have corn. They are closed until later in the season.
*Jenkins Field is all open. Planted feed gets more sparse as you travel south, but there are good weeds for seed. J8 and J10 will have Teal decoys in addition to Mallard decoys.
*Ragweed has both blinds available. No corn but sparse millet and decent weeds. New Wood Duck decoys provided here.
*Big/Little Timber and Timber holes are huntable and have good weed seed.
New Wood Duck decoys provided here. We tried to control the cockleburs but they are still there. The cockleburs don’t seem to bother the ducks, but my Golden Bailey doesn’t like them.
*Flats is open with excellent wild seed.
*Annex is open.
*T4-T8 are huntable and have weed seed.
*Hawkeye at this point has pump issues and I cannot guarantee it will be open at the start of the season. We will attempt to resolve. Hawkeye Shores is open. Hawkeye was too wet to replant.
*Wedge and Feather holes are open.
There are now a small number of confidence decoys available for use at the pump area. These include coots and Blue Heron decoys. Please return to the pump are when you are finished with your hunt.
During the flooding, we lost the dock that we used to get on and off the boats at Jenkins Field. We have built a new dock but it is slightly smaller than the old one. Be careful not to overload the new dock when getting on of off the boats.
There will be a new handrail leading from the boat dock up the hill to the pump area.
Blind Draw Changes/Clarifications reminders:
Flats and Little Timber are one draw.
Big Timber and The Annex are one draw.
Hills North and R4 are one draw.
If hunting HN, J4N is closed.
J7 is removed and replaced with a new J6W blind west of the old J6 which is gone as well.
Feathers 40 has two 2 draws.
Hawkeye Shores is open. Need a well-trained dog to hunt here. There is no boat.
No hunting on Goose pond, except at Governor’s point.
No airboats north of the #4 ditch.
There are light weight row boats available at Governor’s Point and South Point along with Decoys.
Please re-tie up decoy strings with twine when transporting decoys on the west side.
Boats to Jenkins Field will be leaving 30 minutes before sunrise. The boats will be equipped with legal lighting.
We are back to having the draw at breakfast.
Expect Eric and Harold to be available on Jenkins throughout the season. To borrow a phrase from a former Marsh Master, “Eric, Butch Friel and Harold worked their ‘asses off’ this year to get the grounds ready.”
The plan for a new assistant superintendent – Jason Hire - didn’t work out as well as anticipated. He resigned on August 8th. We think that the long drive from his home was the main factor in this decision. The good news about his participation this spring and summer was the realization that we need to continue to find help for Eric J.
We have found a new person to help part time on the west side and hopefully some at Jenkins. His name is Cody Fues, a local young man from McNabb, IL. We worked out a deal with him for a combination of regular pay as well as limited hunting opportunities.
Finally, late this summer, we received word that our duck pickers Vicky and Tammy are retiring. I was able to locate another picker for the season. Her name is Damaris Fidler. She is a nursing student as well as a server at the Lacon Country Club. We will see how this works out as she may only be able to work certain days and times. Along with the new picker, there has been a slight price increase for processing whole ducks plucked. The new prices are $5 for breasting and $8 for whole. Tips are welcome as usual.
I continue to be optimistic after spending the day at the club. After a lot of hard work and TLC, the grounds are in decent shape considering what Mother Nature had in store for us.
Again, duck numbers have continued to be above the long-term average. Although drought conditions caused diminished breeding success, we are hoping for a good season. We can only hope there is decent weather, good migration pushes and our planted feed along with wild food including the Smartweed holds up.
Good luck to you all this season and we hope to see you at the club soon.
Best Regards,
Dr. Mike Novak, Dr. John Plante, Ed Rogan, Blake Hiltabrand
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