Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Wildlife Management what are your 2017 plans,projects?

The new year is just a few days away and its cold here in The Ark-La-Tex. As I set by the fire this morning I am thinking of the plans I have for the place this year. I look back over this past year and I did not get all I wanted done. I did get a settling pond built so I could reduce the amount of sand that goes into my big pond after heavy rain events, but did not get my second pond built. I hope to get the second pond built this year. I would like to have a duck hunting pond where rice and ducks and maybe some cnbg might come together. And do it myself and not have it done by a contractor.
So I thought it would be a good time to ask what are in your plans this new year? What are your 2017 projects at your place? Sharing might give some of us an idea or two.

Hoping to build another wetland, some more vernal pools, plant more seedling trees and native plants (including in the wetland we built last year), and continue to control invasive exotic brush. Also need to clean up fallen trees and branches from trails over the holidays, and cut up firewood and haul back to the house. If we get the finish grade on the pad, we will likely have pole barn put up. Time will tell what actually gets done...

We are going to have the north inlet sediment pond dam repaired, and the pond cleaned out (as much as possible); I'm going to add some more habitat/cover (I have a pile of 1/2 inch PVC waiting for some attention); need to add some gravel beds in a few key locations, which I think I'll do by putting piles on the ice. And I need to put up 4 new wood duck boxes, which I plan to do on the ice in January or February.

Tracy,
I am planning on adding the new brood ponds on the NW side of the big pond. I am also looking at finally adding the aeration system to the big pond. Time will tell.

Tracy, my plans are to add aeriation and try to get more grass growing all around the pond. Possibly get some large rock hauled in to fill the bad cutouts in the side of the pond from runoff.And try to get rid of a pita gbh!!

Poor GBH!! Heck James they don't eat that much, it's the cormorants YA got to worry with, not to mention the otters

I too do not sweat the herons. I enjoy watching them. I think mine eat more frogs than fish. We apparently have a rookery a few miles away, but I have not seen it.

Add more bullfrogs.
Floating dock installed Jan/Feb 2017.
Transplant some cedar trees.
Maybe try to build a small ATV bridge over a creek-bed.
Have more bonfires.
install more solar spotlights.
Maybe an electric front gate.
Fish more, more walks.

Pat, Let's just say the otters are no longer a problem. I asked on here before but did not get a answer. How many pounds of fish a day does a full grown gbh eat? Even a estimated guess or some biologist on here might have some recorded data from a study of these huge birds.

I would think not many lbs since they only work the shallows probably oz a day but not sure plus snakes , crawfish, frogs and the like. I don't treat them as a threat at all for a healthy pond..... But that's just me ....

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8454(2000)062%3C0149%3ACGBHPO%3E2.0.CO%3B2

About 300 gm/day = 0.66 lbs/day
If all they eat are your fish.

My biggest priority is to sell a house I've been working on for the past few months since I bought a house with my lady.

I'd like to begin work turning the pond into something pretty.

Honeysuckle maintenance, honeysuckle maintenance, honeysuckle maintenance...

My gf is planning a big garden so I'm sure I'll help with that.

My FIL gave us a wood splitter, so I'll likely start chopping down a bunch of dead trees and splitting them. I have a patch of trees that blocks a nice view to my back field that I'd like to get through.

I have a shed I'd like to double the size of.

Go harvest and start training some soon to be bonsai!

Asian honeysuckle is a mess. I hope they find some type of biological control and introduce it.

Seriously, we've had around 5 to 10 several hundred square foot burn piles of it already, and there is more to do.

We will never get it under control, so we just attack one area each year. What is hard is seeing new ones come up in the same area that was cleared and treated the year before. BTW - I leave my brush piles for wildlife. I don't burn them anymore.

I have a full size conventional Kenworth hood sitting out behind a shed. Been there a couple years now but I refused to let the guys in the shop get rid of it after we put a new one on the truck. I just knew it would make good fish habitat some day.

Now that the RES pond is built I plan to make a RES refuge out of it. I figure sitting the hood in its original position will provide a shade area about 3 ft deep under the hood. RES like shade. Will probably attach some concrete blocks and some woden pallets under/around it also and have a bunch of plasxtic 2 liter bottle shipping crates to attach around the outside for more surface area.

I'll let my imagination be my guide when I get started on in next spring. So that along with some other cover and getting the pond limed and stocked with FHM and RES. That is what is lined up for 2017 so far.

Hoping for rain so the new pond fills up, and the 1.5 yr old one rises. The new pond will be CC, RES, and FHM. Going to feed the CC pellets. Not stocking as heavy as first pond. Probably 30 CC, 30 RES, and 2 lb FHM, IF the new pond fills. Hoping we don't have a prolonged drought. No significant rain since July 26-27.

We have spent the last 3 years turning a cornfield into a home with pond, garden, mini-orchard, hundreds of new trees and landscaping. My plan for 2017 is to PIDDLE doing things I want to play with, not HAVE TO DO!

At this time, nothing to do with the ponds.

My immediate chore is getting internet and Ring.com installed. Ought to be done in a couple of weeks. Over Thanksgiving, Charlene and I spent 4 days there. We started to leave the place for a day trip to Oklahoma and found the front gate open. We always keep it locked; even when we are there. Somebody had used bolt cutters and cut the electric Co's lock. I assume that they had come in the previous night, noticed 2 vehicles and left. Since we don't live there, I figure the druggies will come back. I have a mobile home, construction office trailer, and shipping container and STUFF/JUNK.

I have hauled a lot of fishing/hunting/stuff plus other misc junk back to D/FW and put most of the tools into the shipping container. The shipping container has a lock with a 1/4 inch steel cover that is a PITA to get to. 4 wheelers stay in the shipping container and I have hauled my big tool box and tools into it. I put an additional chain and lock on the front gate. The chain and lock were around $90.00. But I'm not kidding myself that they can't get in. I have put up 4 black flash game cams but realistically I don't recognize myself when I do a walk test at 20 feet at night. I will also put up a pretty strong light to help the game cams. When I left there the other day I left the house and office trailer unlocked. No sense in making the druggies tear things up to get in.

I have gone from ballistic to paranoid and back to PO'd. I want somebodys butts in jail.

Sorry to hear about the problem Dave. I went thru a similar situation at our place before we actually moved hear. My emotions went from PO'd to more PO'd to MORE PO'd....They even stole my No Trespassing signs, posts and all! I put up a game camera and got some nice shots of wild turkeys and deer.

Did you file a report with the sheriff? I did and they started sending a car around every once in a while. They didn't catch anyone but the problem stopped. I also figured it was good to a least have a report on file just in case.

Good Luck!

Bill

Sorry about your situation. A friend told me that we have a legal system, not a justice system in the USA... I hope that this is not too political for this site.

That is what I keep telling myself Bill. I'm going to quit taking on these projects and actually take time to enjoy the ones already finished. Then I go and build a new RES pond and start all over.

For me the process seems to create as much enjoyment or more than the actual end result.

My wife and I have spent the last quarter century working on wildlife habitat on our place, and I have another 300 years of plans. While I really enjoy completing a project and watching it progress toward maturity, I enjoy starting the next project even more. I never wonder how I will keep busy when I retire:)

Bill, I called the Sheriff and a Deputy came out and talked to me. Don't know about a report but maybe. I told him that I realized that as far as I was off the road, there wasn't a lot that they could do. My gate is about 250 yards from the public dirt road with a private road leading to my gate and a couple of neighbors. I guess we qualify as pretty secluded. Not a lot of people know that my place exists. That's what will make it easy for the thieves to drop by at their convenience.

This is my third situation in 30 years. About 10 years ago, I got hit for a 4 wheeler and 16 ft trailer to haul it on. I put a $500 reward in the local paper. That lead to info, arrest and recovery. Then, 2 years ago "they" stole two 4 wheelers that I thought I had camo'd and hidden back in the woods. I didn't get those back and I found that I was way over insured.

I replaced them with new ones and bought a steel shipping container.

As said, I'm getting a system called ring.com. I'm hoping it helps. I checked with several people who have it and like it. You guys might want to take a look at it.

Dave -

That Ring.com looks interesting. I would like to hear how you like it down the road after you have a chance to test-drive it a while.

Being so remote, what kind of internet connection are you getting?

Thanks

My plans for 2017:
* Get my pond dam seeded.
* Install cedar structure in the pond.
* Pray for rain to fill the pond.
* Initial fish stocking.
* Work to reduce the amount of Huisache on my property, I know this is a life-long project!
* Plant oak and other hardwood seedlings.
* Get a water well drilled.
* Spray for weeds, improve the grass.

It's some kind of wireless from a local company. I called a neighbor who is using it and is impressed. The downside that I see are the frequent electrical outages during storms in rural areas. That will shut down the computer and I won't know it. Another downside is the $60.00 per month for internet that I've never wanted there. But, I'm PO'd and $ just isn't a problem at this time.

I'm wondering what a HOTSPOT would do for me. I know nothing about that. Anybody?

The no flash cams are one outside the gate looking at the gate so I can possibly get a license #. Another on the road from the gate to the house and 2 on trees around the house. I'll light up the house area to help on the cams at the house. I also went with lithium batteries in the cams.

Sorry to hear about your break-ins Dave, knock on wood but we have not had any problems with that in more than 30 years although a neighbor or two closer to the major road have had issues. Most of the locals would not want to mess with our partners in our farming operation as these are big boys who would inflict some major pain on anyone they might encounter trying to cause problems or steal things (and "major" is probably an understatement). I can understand your wish to avoid getting the internet....we continue to fight the millennials in our family who want to constantly be "connected". This is mostly a weekend place where we go to be "disconnected".

In any case, in terms of projects for 2017, I have decided to make a list that is actually doable and not just fantasy. I am a list guy who always totally overestimates what I can actually get done within a given time frame. This is what I was jotting down a few days ago (BL, BJ and #1 are our 3 BOWs):

Early spring 2017 focus on:

1. Harvest targets in BL and #1: meet the 2016 targets (fell slightly short).
2. Algae, etc. control: plan on 2 treatments of copper sulfate (100 lbs. total). Then use the Cutrine Plus/Diquat combo in tank sprayer for spot treatment. Figure out sago/coontail issue in BJ.
3. Habitat improvement in all three ponds. More brushy cover in 2-6 feet deep water. PVC structures in all.
4. Build dock in BJ Lake (5 X 10).
5. Move some fish around in all ponds. Swap BG and LMB. Buy a 40 gallon stock tank and 12-volt aerator to facilitate the process.
6. Grass Carp: stock 6/7 in each smaller pond and 20 in the BL.
7. Raise water level @ BJ 12-18 inches.

Fall 2017: focus on stocking new genetics

1. BJ: 300 adult BG, 50 feed trained 1 lb. LMB. Texas Hunter feeder.
2. #1: 25 adult BG, 25 1 lb. LMB
3. BL: 75 adult BG, 50 1 lb. LMB

Looking toward mid-March in our area to get started on these items. If I can get this stuff done (I have friends more than willing to help)I will be well on my way to improving our fishing.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all. BM61.

In 2016 I learned that there's a very big difference in being able to weld, and being a welder. I'm pulling the trigger on a Miller 215 after Christmas, and plan to migrate from nail guns and impact wrenches to stick and mig in 2017. A hydroponic equipped greenhouse will be the big project. More fruit trees and only Heirloom vegetables will also be planted.

As far as my big pond, forage will be the tricky part next year. With the elimination of acres of coontail, comes far more open water, and a change in LMB feeding habits. The condition of the LMB will dictate what I do. Also, all 7-9" CNBG caught will be removed. They're too big for the majority of my LMB, but to small to be trophy's, so they need to go.

We've pushed our brood pond extremely hard this last year to see if year round forage could be a viable option by only stocking temperature sensitive fish(tilapia and RBT). The goal was as many productive months as possible with fish that can not survive and become a liability when other fish are introduced to the pond. I think it's doable, but 10 months into this, I'm not sure it's the best thing to do. In 2017 we'll give this pond a break, and only stock a few large CNBG for breeding purposes that have the visual and physical characteristics we want.

More Bluebird and Wood duck houses need to be put out. My experience is that birds don't seem to nest in bird houses sitting on my shop floor.

Because of the size of my big pond, I'll also going to a 1" gas powered siphon system to spray pond herbicides in 2017. A 12 volt pump and 25 gallon tank makes DIY weed control laborious at best.

Getting all the wood replaced, and a general mani-pedi of my 1981 Monark needs to be finished too.

FirelsHot....what did you use to rid your BOW of the coontail and how did you apply it? I know there are multiple options out there but what kills coontail also kills sago pondweed.....and that is on my 2017 project list. I need to get a better system in place. Last year was frustrating. thanks. BM61

bm61, you are correct. I used the standard Rodeo/Cutrine/Sidekick cocktail, and that also kills sago. Maybe esshup knows something better.

I used the typical 12 volt 25 gallon rig like you see at Northern Tool. For guns, hoses, pump parts, etc., PW Mall is where I shop. Stainless steel guns are the way to go if spraying cutrine. Without proper cleaning each and every time, the aluminum guns and wands get trashed PDQ.

I hope to fish. Not raise fish, cage fish, sort fish, sex fish, read about fish, worry over fish, or buy fish. Just FISH. Probably won't turn out that way, but it sounds nice when I say it aloud.

Al, that's how it starts. A new welder. Then you realize you need a metal cutting bandsaw, a portable cutoff saw, a drill press, angle grinder, welding clamps, a sexy auto-darkening welding helmet that has fish scales airbrushed on it, a welding table for the "small" jobs, a set of leathers, and certainly a huge material stockpile of all things made from a variety of metals. No longer will you throw anything malleable aside...it will now languish "out back" of the new welding shop, ( I did mention the new welding shop to house everything in, didn't I?", slowly rusting into the ground until a sudden epiphany allows you to see it in it's new, Al-fabricated, repurposed form.

It's a sickness.

Tony, you forgot the Fein nibbler!!!

Actually, the only thing I really wanted since moving here 3 years ago was to close in our 24X24 tractor shed, and turn it into a storage building for all things outdoor and gas related. I got that this fall when the 70 yo guy that built everything here came out of retirement to do this job for me. I had no clue such precision work could be done with a piece of string, a pocket measuring tape, and an ancient piece of sandstone. In short, the guy's an artist.

The whole job could have been done in a few days if I had hired somebody that built steel buildings, but it took 2 weeks to finish this job since he only worked 3-4 hours a day. But what that did do is give me a chance to be there every second and learn. I swept, hauled purling, watched torch work, watched the back of steel as he welded to get a look at the weld penetration, basically all the 101 stuff many of you may take for granted. After all that, I feel like it's time for me to quit hauling lumber from the big box store, and start hauling steel.

A power tool rack for the main shop, and a nice, build it once, welding table will be the first things I do. Scott's already given me some great advice about the table, but when the time comes, I'll need your input also.

Sometimes all this homestead/pond stuff can be a physical and mental beating for me, but this welding deal has gotten me excited again. The possibilities are endless.

Shoot, I'm excited just hearing about it!

When you get that Miller home, ask her to introduce you to her equally beguiling sister....Miss Plasma Cutter.

Yep, I think I need to begin putting together a list of "essentials" for you. Only the necessities of course. Do you have a font preference for the monogramming on your welding gloves?

A comic san serif font is easy to read, so let's go with that.

Most of what's done here will still be with a stick, which I'm ok working with. The mig will help with the smaller more detail oriented stuff which I want to try.

Isn't it fun spending other people's money? I cherish those opportunities.

Speaking of wielding and such things, I bought a nice Lincoln wielder a few months back. And did some repair work on one of the boat trailers. Guided by a woman wielder who taught my son and me about wielding. Her work looked like factory work, nice and neat. My wielding looked like roughed in or not so smooth but it has held up so far. She called it Gorilla wield, strong but not so good looking lol. A grinder did smooth out some of that rough work. So my next wielding project may be with Aluminum. You guys might recall in my past post that after installing 6 diffusers in the pond, the diffusers would kick up bottom sediment which caused a cloud of light colored silt or clays into the water or air column. So now I am thinking I might try wielding up some type of aluminum platform for the diffusers to set on. The Lincoln wielder has a dial type settings and I hope this wielder can be set to do aluminum wields. If not I will try using some thin metal sheets for building the platforms. Aluminum would be a lot lighter to work with. Help lol

Welder Tracy...... I are one! Been one my whole career.. If you are a gorilla welder on carbon don't try aluminum. A lot harder to do and takes some serious equipment to do it. Heilliarc with a high frequency rig is required.welding is an art fer sure. I can show you a lot of tricks to be a better welder.

I wish I could weld aluminum. I think it would open up a whole other dimension of possibilities.

The biggest problem with aluminum is ya can't tell so easy if it gets to hot..... It just falls through.... Ugh

Pat, there is an open invitation to come stay anytime you want to get away from that crappy (Craw-Pee) pond You too Sparky, maybe Pat will school us on Alum and other wielding. I need to get started on the diffuser platform project. Most likely start them back up early March. Be here before I know it.
2017, another Beaver showed up in that beaver den at the dam. Another project, always something to get done.