BENSON WETLAND - NARRATIVE REPORT - 1968 NARRATIVE REPORT BENSON WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT J BENSON, MIMESOTA CALENDAR YEAR I968

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PERMANENT PERSONNEL James J. Hubert, Project Leader (GS-ll) 1/1/68 - 12/31/68 Jack C. Womble, Assistant Wetland Manager (GS-9) 1/1/68 - 12/31/68 Betty L» Dahl, Clerk (GS-3) (Part Time) 1/1/68 - 3/22/68 Evonne T. Kikkelson (GS-3) (Part Time) 5/19/68- 12/31/68 Richard W. Motzko, Maintenanceman (WB-5) 1/1/68 - 12/31/68 Roger H. Nelson, Maintenanceman (WB-5) 1/1/68 - 12/31/68

TEMPORARY PERSONNEL Evonne T. Mikkelson (GS-2) (Part Time) * 3/18/68 - 5/18/68 David L. Haukos, Laborer 8/5/68 -12/1/68 Daniel J. Orr, Laborer 6/3/68 -8/31/68 Earl W. Orr, Biological Technician (Wildlife)(GS-5) 7/15/68 -9/30/68 John E, Schliep, Laborer 5/20/68 -32/1/68

•Reclassified, Career-conditional appointment 5/19/68 TABLE OF CCNT E N T S

I. GENERAL A. Description of the Area 1 B. Status of the Acquisition Program 1 Table I-Fee Title Acquisition Status 3 Table II-Sasement Acquisition Status 4 C. Weather Conditions 4 Table Ill-Weather Data 3 D. History of Past Use 7 E. Habitat Conditions 7 II. WILDLIFE A. Migratory Birds 10 B. Upland Game Birds 11 C. Other Birds 12 Do Big Game Animals 12 E. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents & Other Mammals 12 F. Rare, Endangered and Status Undetermined Species 13 G. Fish 13 III. W.P.A. DSVSLOPMSNT AND MAINTENANCE A. Physical Development 13 Table IV-Major Physical Projects 14 B. Plantings Including Soil and Moisture Activity 18 C. Cultivated Crops 19 D. Collections and Receipts 19 E. Control of Vegetation 20 IV. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT A. Grazing 21 Table V-Grazing Program 22 . * B. Haying 23 w C. Fur Harvest 23 D. Other Resources 24 V. FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLIED RESEARCH A. Wildlife Management Studies 25 B. Biological "Tinkering" 26 C. Wildlife Inventory 28 VI. EASEMENT ADMINISTRATION VII. PUBLIC RELATIONS A. Recreational Uses 29 Table VI-Annual Public Use Report 30 B. Wetland Office Visitors 31 Table Vll-Office Visitors 31 G. Wetland Participation 33 D. Hunting 35 Table VIII-Bag Check Summary 3° S. Violations 36 Table IX-Violation Summary 37 F. Safety 37 G. Payments to Counties 37 Table X-Payments to Counties 37 VIII. OTHER ITEMS A. Items of Interest 38 Table XI-Duck Stamp Sales 38 ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT BENSON WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT JANUARY - DECEMBER, I968

I. GENERAL A. Description of the Area

Established in October 1964, the Benson Wetland Management Office located in Benson, Minnesota serves an area of eleven counties of West-central and South-central Minnesota, Included in the District are the counties of Big Stone, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Yellow Medicine. The map which follows reflects the extent and location of the Wetland District in relation to the State.

The area lies on the eastern margin of both the Great Plains and the prairie pothole region of the midwest. The topography varies greatly from rolling grassland and forest to flat agricultural-type land. The transition zone between plains and forests is locally evident.

B. Status of the Acquisition Program

1. Fee Title Program

Passage of the Wetlands Program Extension Bill on December 16, I967 has met with National as well as local w acceptance. The bill, S.1078 extends provisions of the Wetland Loan Act for an additional eight years. The Benson Wetland Office, formerly the Benson Area Acquisition Office, anticipates reaching their acreage goals by June 31t 1976. This marks the end of the extended period.

The original acreage goal was revised during I968. There were 7,000 goal acres shifted to the Fergus Falls Wetland District while 3»000 acres within the Benson District were shifted into the primary counties. The revised acreage goal is now set at 5^,037 acres. Table I, "Fee Title Acquisition Status", reflects trends of the fee title program from I966 through I968. A correlation of acquisition can easily be made between these three years. The option date of the purchase agree­ ment was used as the breaking-point for preparing Table I. OS" b° 17 8 2o BENSON WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

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-47?-

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HAVINO 8.000 OH MOIW POPULATION O

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BENSON WETLAND DISTRICT BENSON WETLAND MANAGEMENT OFFICE SCALE 20 40 6O MILES /\ OFFICIAL WEATHER STATIcSf

95° MINNESOTA 1^567 3. TABLE I FEE TITLE ACQUISITION STATUS ! 1^66 1^67 : 1^68 :No.Mgt. :No.Mgt. : rNo.Mgt. ; County : Units ; Acres : Units : Acres :Units : Acres

Big Stone : 37 : 5,418.47 : 46 : 6,600.15 : 53 : 6,677.15 Cottonvood 3 ! 295.45 : 5 : 638.45 : 6 : 798.45 Jackson 8 947.57 : 10 : 1,352.17 : 10 : 1,352.17 Kandiyohi 28 : 4,879.96 : 33 : 5,22^.86 : 38* : 5,823.37 Lac qui Parle : 8 : 790.30 ! 9 : 1,231.23 : 12 : 1,371.23 Pope : 30 : 4,554.58 : 35 : 5,672.42 : 42 : 6,091.87 Stearns : 7 : 1,582.09 : 12 : 1,966.69 : 13 : 2,044.69 Stevens • 28 ! 3,275.33 : 29 : 3,599.33 : 37 : 4.091.03 Swift : 18 : 2,933.53 : 17 : 3,020.80 : 21* : 4,338.06 Traverse : 7 : 1,589.62 : 7 : 1,669.62 : 7 : 1,669.62 Yellow Medicine 1 : 30.00 : 2 : 70.00 : 2 : 70.00

TOTALS i 175 : 26,296,90 : 205 :31,044.72 : 241 :34.327.64

* A portion of this increase reflects the splitting of 2 units in Kandiyohi and Swift Counties. Although joined, these units are transected by roads and do not have any wetlands in common.

A decrease in the number of individual tracts and total acres acquired in I968 was noted. However, the number of new management units created in I968 increased slightly ever new units established in I967. The I968 decrease in tracts and acres acquired can be partially contributed to a loss of acuuisition office personnel. Also the directing of acquisition activity in South Dakota was involved. Indicative of this decline is the fact that 395 acres per month were acquired in 196? while 274 acres per month were acquired in I968. A total of 73 individual tracts were acquired in 1967 while only 48 tracts were acquired in I968. During the next two years there should be a leveling off or de­ crease in the establishment of new units. Although 33 of the 48 tracts acquired in 1968 involved new- units, it is evident that more time will be required for roundouts in the future.

During I968, the Benson Wetland Office took over acquisition in three South Dakota Counties. Emphasis will be on the fee title program. This has made the Benson office an interstate office. Wetlands acquired in South Dakota will come under the management jurisdiction of Waubay National Wildlife Refuge. 4.

2o Easement Program

TABLE II EASEMENT ACQUISITION STATUS : 1^66 ': 1967 : 1968 • : : Total : : Total : : Wetland :> Total County :No. : Acres : No. : Acres : No.: Acres : Acros

Eig Stone 95 :13,233.43 : 99 :13.773.43:108 4,292.00 : 15,572.63 Cottonwood No easements being taken Jackson No easements being taken Kandiyohi 48 6,521.13 : 82 9,507.62: 85 3,007.00 10,145.27 L.Q.P. 2 240.00 : 2 240.00: 2 141.00 240.00 Pope 98 17,870.82 :116 19,290.98:118 5,308.00 20,118.13 Stearns 4 876.32 : 5 876.32: 5 257.00 876.32 Stevens ? 756.25 : 10 890.99: 15 426.00 1,392.64 Swift 8 1,091.52 : 11 1,271.52: 13 384.00 1.311.52 Traverse 18 2,961.38 : 19 3,021.38: 21 995.00 3,101.04 Yellow Ved : 1 17.00 80.00

TOTALS :282 :43.550.85 ;344 ;48,872.24:368 :14.827.00 : 52,837.55

Trends of the easement program are reflected above by Table II, "Easement Acquisition Status". This table correlates progress of the program from I966 through 1968.

In I967, it was anticipated that the easement program would steadily increase. However, the 1968 trend was the reverse. Only 24 new easements were secured as compared to 62 in I967. Benson Wetland Office per­ sonnel state that the easement program appears to be dying out. The ebb in the program is contributed to lack of public acceptance and emphasis on draining.

C. Weather Conditions Wanting moisture conditions persisted into I968 and throughout the remaining xd.nter months. Very little pre­ cipitation in the form of snow was received. Above normal temperatures during the 3rd week of January and on into February coupled with unusually warm temperatures in March continued to melt the limited snow and ice cover. All evidence of snow was gone by March 17th. TABLE III 1968 FATHER DATA

Precipitation

Month Willmar 1 Morris . Benson Canby 'vindom Average

J anuary : .85" .70" 1.07" .53" : .49": .73" February .13 ' .11 : .10 .10 .06 : .10 March .61 - .48 : 1.86 1.02 : .38 : .87 April : 5.90 4.88 : 4.65 ' 5.65 : 4.19 : 5.05 May : 1.58 2.22 : 1.44 : 1.74 : 1.61 1.72 June : 8.81 ' 3.51 : 4.45 1 4.38 4.88 : 5.21 July : 5.17 1.06 i 3.60 • 4.82 8.48 ; 4.63 August : 1.45 2.96 5 2.55 • 2.86 : 2.68 : 2.50 September : 5.32 3.46 : 3.33 : 3.28 : 7.53 ' 4.58 October : 7.10 4.12 : 4.88 5.06 5.76 5.38 November .67 .70 : .83 : .98 : .53 .74 December : 2.66 3.48 : 2.91 4.04 : 2.15 3.05 ANNUAL TOTAL 40.2^ 27.68" : 31.67" • 34.46" : 38.74" 34.56"

ANNUAL NORM 24.47" : 22.58" : *

•Normals have not yet been established.

Temperature

Month ; Willmar : Morris : Benson : Canby : Windom :Max : Min Max : Min: Max : Min:Ma x : Min :Max • Min January ^5 : -25 45 : -27 1 47 : -25 : 49 ; -22 : 46 -20 February : 38 : -15 1 34 :- 16 ! 39 : -15 : 41 : -12 : 46 ! -13 March : 79 ! 5 76 • 78 ! 5 : 81 ; 4 : 84 6 April 85 : 19 83 : 14 88 15 : 90 ' 17 : 88 17 May 82 ! 31 i 86 : 29 83 26 : 86 30 : 87 27 June 95 : 42 ! 96 : 38 97 1 40 :100 38 : 98 40 July 94 : 48 94 : 46 95 47 : 95 > 95 49 August • 93 : 44 ! 96 • 40 96 44 : 97 44 ; 96 1 45 September 85 38 1 85 36 85 ' 36 : 86 ! 36 - 84 37 October 82 26 1 79 24 : 81 : 24 : 81 ! 24 ; 82 ; 25 November : 57 12 : 60 • 14 ! 57 : 14 : 58 : 10 : 67 : 11 December ; 3? -24 i 45 : - 26 : ' -26 : 48 ! -23 : 44 -22 EXTREMES : 95 : -25 : 96 : - 27 : 97 i -26 :100 s -23 98 : -22 Last Killing Frost of Spring - 5/6/68 First Killing Frost of Fall - 10/4/68 6.

A blizzard evolved in the Cottonwood-Jackson Counties area on February 28th, however very little precipitation was received. On March 17th, the entire district was plagued by an eight hour dust storm. The very next day heavy rain, marble size hail and tornado warnings occurred in parts of the district.

Spring marked the onset of above normal precipitation which occurred during sporadic thundershowers in April, May and June« The last measurable snowfall (approx. 4") on April 3rd was proceeded by a thundershower with one inch of rain. The Cottonwood-Jackson County area re­ corded 80 - 100 mph, winds with driving rain on June 21st, Temperatures remained slightly below normal during May and the 3rd week of June, High winds persisted through most of the spring season.

Above normal precipitation occurred during July, while near normal amounts were received in August. Severe thundershower activity on July 18th was accompanied by hail, high winds and a tornado watch. Tornado warnings were a common occurance over the district throughout the summer season. A tornado touched down and moved across the Stern ¥PA in Jackson County on August 10th, however only slight sign and tree damage was reported. Temperatures over the district were quite variable throughout the season. Unseasonably cool weather pre­ vailed during August, except for hot humid conditions during the 3rd week.

Above normal amounts of precipitation continued through the fall season with prolonged periods of rain received during October. Moisture resembling that of spring was present. Farmers began screaming as excessive moisture affected their fall harvest schedules. Near seasonal temperatures lingered through the season with the first killing frost occurring on October 4th.

Varying temperatures and precipitation prevailed over the district during November and December, Snow blanketed the area on November l6th. A warming trend during the third week of November was followed by dropping temper­ atures. Complete freeze-up of the larger lakes occurred by the end of November. Blizzard conditions prevailed on December 13th and 22nd. These blizzards paralyzed the district with drifting snow and dropping temperatures. In the district, the year ended with temperatures dropping as low as minus 28 degrees and snow in excess of 26.5 inches on the ground. This was indeed a real deviation from the 196? weather. In 196? the year ended with seasonably mild temperatures and little snow cover.

Do History of Past Use

The region is primarily agricultural with corn and beans as prevailing crops. Nearly all land regardless of capa­ bility has been tilled at one time. All types of erosion are evident as a result*

The terrific demand for farmland in the 19^0^ and ^SO's caused many thousands of wetlands to be destroyed in the name of conservation. Greater emphasis on true conser­ vation in recent years has resulted in at least a beginning to better land use*,

The wetland management units are beginning to contribute to the area economy. Although the degree of economic rela­ tion may be small, the grazing units and small farmland tracts will aid the surrounding communities.

E. Habitat Conditions

1. Water

The I968 water conditions were in reverse of those occurring in 196?• The year started in the midst of a drought which extended into late summer. Then water levels gradually started improving with above normal amounts of precipitation received. By the close of 1968 moisture was in good supply.

Winter ended with below normal snow pack. Therefore, the spring thaw had little to offer in the form of moisture. Also, increased evaporation occurred from high persistant winds throughout most of the spring. Excessive moisture was received in Apri3., however little runoff resulted due to the extremely dry ground. Most wetlands dry in the fall of I967 re­ mained dry throughout the spring of I968. All wet­ lands on 10 of 12 WPAs located in Cottonwood and Jackson Counties remained dry until summero

Moisture conditions became extremely variable between June and September. During this period Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties received above normal precipitation, while the remainder of the district continued to have limited amounts. 8.

As a result, many Type III and I? marshes in the western counties continued to be dry. Waterfowl nesting and brooding sites were limited and critical this year. With the onset of the hunting season water areas for hunting were also scarce.

The drought finally broke in the western counties by late September. The ground was -well saturated by freeze-up throughout the district due to excessive moisture received in October. Rivers and creeks were out of their banks and croplands flooded in the Cottonwood-Jackson County area on October 20th. Good water levels in most marshes, saturated ground and deep snow pack should all contribute to excellent water conditions next spring.

The potential value of ditch plugs constructed in I967 could not be satisfactorily evaluated due to the drought prevailing. Next year should bring more favorable water conditions for examining the effects of ditch plugging.

2. Food and Cover Wildlife benefited by the open winter of 1967-1968, however food and cover were in short supply. The limited supply can be contributed to extensive fall plowing and burning in 1967. Also, a one inch ice cover by the end of 19^7 made remaining food inac­ cessible to wildlife. However, a thaw on January 4th melted the ice and left the ground mostly exposed through the remaining winter. Established grasslands showed little effects from the drought. Vegetative growth provided adequate cover during the nesting season. Some alfalfa and sweet- clover seedings were damaged by the necessity to control noxious x^eeds with 2,4-D. During I968, 1,500 acres of noxious weeds required control. It is unfortunate that we must divert funds from more beneficial uses to weed control when most weeds are useful to wildlife.

Grassland nesting and escape cover continued to be improved on our management units. Most cropland is seeded to clover, alfalfa and mixed grasses as full possession is acquired. In I968, 1,667 acres were seeded to grass. Sufficient moisture was received in time for an average nurse crop and a good catch 9* of grass. With the procurement of a Nisbet grass drill, we anticipate that a greater number of acres will be seeded to native grass in the future.

With limited moisture and a mild spring, field oper­ ations started somewhat earlier than the previous year. The drought exserted little effect on crops, however spring and summer storms were responsible for some hail and wind damage to corn and beans. Corn and beans matured normally with farmers hoping for an above average harvest. Thirty wildlife food plots were planted to corn on WPAs this year, while 37 are planned for I969,

Heavy fall rains played havoc with harvesting oper­ ations. As a result, nearly one third of the corn crop in the Benson area was still in the field on November 30th, In the Cottonwood-Jackson County area excessive moisture made it impossible to get into the fields before freeze-up. The year ended in that area with many acres of corn and some beans still unhar- vested. The water saturated ground also reduced fall plowing and burning. Provided wildlife is spared from heavy snow this winter, food will be plentiful and cover adequate,

Biotic changes were observed on many drying wetlands, Bullrush, cattail, etc, in some marshes died before reaching maturity. On other marshes already dry, the encroachments of wet soil plants were noted. These changes were conspicuous on most wetlands through Type III, however some Type IV marshes were also affected. Wild rice was observed for the first time growing on the Randall, Evjen, Ouren and Overby Units, It is suspected that receding water levels on deep marshes has stimulated its growth*

In the most part, rising water levels came too early for wet soil plants to mature, and too late for aquatics to benefit* As a result, waterfowl natural food quantity and cover quality dropped slightly be­ low optimum. The accessibility of winter food and cover through the remaining winter had become questionable due to heavy snow accumulation by December 31st, 10.

II. WILDLIFfi

A. Migratory Birds

1. Waterfowl - (Anseriformes) Waterfowl began moving into the eleven county district in early March. Mallards and Pintail were noted on March 5th in Traverse County. Both divers and dabblers were represented in large numbers throughout the district by the end of March.

Breeding conditions were universally poor due to very limited fall moisture conditions and an extremely dry winter. Spring runoff was virtually non-exis­ tent.

The breeding population including lone males on the three blocks that are surveyed annually totaled 137 total pairs of ducks and 25 pairs of coot. The I967 total was 96 pairs of ducks and 9 pairs of coot.

Marsh quality for waterfowl production was rather poor throughout the summer. Many type IV marshes were dry and the type V marshes proved their im­ portance as being the main supply of brood waters in some areas. Broods began appearing in late May. Water conditions improved in the eastern part of the district but the western part remained dry until heavy rains came in early fall. The formalized brood surveys first used in 19^7 were repeated this year. Each of the two transects were run twice. Total broods observed for I967 was 63 and 68 coot broods while in I968 53 duck broods and 3 coot broods were observed on the surveys. Coot breeders and broods in past years have been very numerous and to the point of being serious competitors with waterfowl. The reduction this year is apparently due to the general lack of type IV marsh habitat.

Fall migration began around mid-September and quietly continued until freeze-up in early November. Whistling swans were rather common and remained in small numbers on several management units until freeze-up. Canada, snow and blue geese were very commonly heard and seen as they passed through. 11. 2. Water and Marsh Birds - (Gaviiformes. Ciconiifortnes. Gruiformes) Great blue herons and American egrets are common in the district. A colony exists on the Lovell Lake Unit of Stearns County. The green heron, black-crowned night heron, least bittern and American bittern are observed regularly. Sora and Virginia rails are fairly common in the district. King and yellow rails are believed to inhabit our area but reports are unconfirmed.

Pied-billed grebes are common nesters and coot are usually extremely common. A very noticeable decline in coot use and production was evidenced and apparently was due to the lack of type IV marsh habitat this year.

3o Shore birds, gulls and terns - (Charadriiformes)

Woodcock are known residents in the district and ob­ servations have been made on our units. Their population is believed to be very low however. Wilson's snipe are very common in the spring and fall and common during the summer months. Sandpipers, yellow-legs, plovers, godwit and phalarope are found throughout the area but their abundance hasn't been measured.

The herring, franklins and ring-billed gulls are common warm season residents. Forsters, common and black terns are noted frequently.

4. Doves - (Columbiformes)

Mourning doves are common residents and frequently nest on our units. Banding proved successful this year and is covered more completely in Section V.

B. Upland Game Birds - (Galliformes) The prime pheasant range of Minnesota is located in the district. Cover conditions on private land continues to deteriorate. Management and development on our land is also geared to improving upland game conditions wherever possible.

The random sex-ratio count during the 1967-68 winter in­ volved 125 pheasants and resulted in a ratio of 1 male to 1.19 females. The 1966-67 count totaled 357 birds and a ratio of 1:1.83. 12. The Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service is now spending the majority of their ACP money in this area on wildlife and related projects. This is a vast improvement over the recent days when they spent nearly all their ACP money on drainage and wildlife habitat destruction. The ironic thing about it is though that most of the marsh habitat has been destroyed and now they are reversing their emphasis.

Ruffed grouse have definitely been noted on the Christenson Unit in Kandiyohi County. Several units in the north­ eastern part of the district doubtlessly have small populations.

Hungarian partridge are occasionally noted in the district but not on our units so far.

0 ^ Other Birds - (Falconiformes, Strigiformesa Passeriformes, and Pelecaniformes) Marsh, red-tailed, red-shouldered, goshawk, and sparrow hawks are all at least occasional inhabitants of the district and our units. Osprey have been noted on the Evenson Unit in Kandiyohi County. Great-horned owls are common residents and barred, screech and barn owls are occasional visitors.

Double-crested cormorants are common visitors to many of our units. lAjhite pelicans are common during migrations. Belted-kingfishers and crows are common warm season resi­ dents with some of the latter remaining year around.

Many perching birds are found on the units and apparently thrive on the protected and undisturbed cover around old farmsteads and brushy areas.

D. Eig Game Animals White-tailed deer are common throughout the district and thrive on our units. Dense marsh emergents provide some very good protective cover and the uplands provide good year around cover. We estimate that around 1000 deer fre­ quent the units.

E. Fur Animals, Predators, Rodents and Other Mammals

The muskrat population is down from 19^7 as evidenced by fewer houses. Drought conditions during the fall of I967 13. and throughout the winter resulted in poor water conditions Reproduction was doubtlessly low by rmiskrats with the lack of habitat. Mink remain common on management units but it is suspected they may be down from last year.

Beaver are common throughout the district but so far none are known to exist on our lands.

Red fox continue to maintain themselves successfully des­ pite heavy trapping, hunting and snowmobile pursuits. Pelts are drawing up to $15•00 and the price is rising. Cottontail rabbit, fox squirrel and gray squirrel are common. Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, franklins ground squirrel, pocket gopher, and chipmunk are abundant as well,

F, Rare, Endangered and Status Undetermined Species

There are no threatened species known to exist in the district.

Go Fish

Year around fish populations are rare on our wetland units. Most marshes are far too shallow to overwinter fish. This factor is actually a benefit since rough fish are eliminated at least once a yearo

HI, W'.P.A. Development and Maintenance

A. Physical Development

Fencing to eliminate trespass and encroachment continued to be a major development activity, A total of 9.8 miles of new fencing was constructed on eleven different units. Every management unit was once a part of an agricultural operation and consequently involves quite a complex of old fences. Aesthetic values and safety factors are greatly improved by riddance of the old fences.

The barbed wire winder that we developed this year has been a terrific help. For every mile of new fencing needed on the units at least a mile and one half of old junk fence must be removed. ¥e now estimate new fence needs at around 200 miles so our fence cleanup work is overwhelming. 14.

Old Fence Removal (Lotzko and Haukos) showing newly developed portable wire winder, Thone Unit Pope County 68, 58, 11-1, JCW

TABLE IV MAJOR PHYSICAL PROJECTS County Unit Item and Amount Remarks Big Stone Bucholz New Fence, 180 Rods* F, 11.2 md Bauman Fence Removal F, 3.1 md Boehnke Fence Removal F. 1.2 md O1Connell Fence Removal F, 1.6 md Wagoner Fence Removal F, 2,5 rad Cottonwood Ewert New Fence, 146 rods* F, 10.0 md Jackson Swen New Fence, 388 rods* F, 26,0 md Kandiyohi Loven New Fence, 334 rods* F, 22,0 md Sonstegard New Fence, 470 rods* F, 39.1 md Loven Ditch Plug, 1 F, 1.0 md Randall Erosion Control, 1 F, 2.0 md Randall Fence Repair F, 2.0 md Bishop Ditch Plugs, 6 C Hodak Ditch Plugs, 3 c Kodak Tile line destroyed, 1 C Olson Lake Ditch Plug, 1 c 15.

Countfy Unit Item and Amount Remarks Pope Evjen Fence Removal F, 2.6 md Froland Fence Removal F, 13.5 md Gjerdingen Fence Repair F, 2.0 md Heidebrink Fence Removal F, 5.3 md Shirmer Fence Removal F, 0.4 md Thone Fence Removal s1, 11.3 md Stearns Schaefer New Fence, 120 rods* F, 12.5 md Stevens Bahr New Fence, 344 rods* F, 15.0 md Kopitzke Ditch Plug, 1 F, 0.5 rad Grossman Fence Removal F. 0.4 md Kill Fence Removal F, 5.0 md Lamprecht Fence Removal F, 10.7 md Stimmler Fence Removal F, .7 md Swift Hoffman New Fence, 483 rods* F, 23.0 md Swen son New Fence, 270 rods* F, 18.7 md Welker New Fence, 65 rods* F, 3.4 md Rice Ditch Plug, 1 F, 1.0 md Lubenow Fence Removal F. 3.7 md Wetherell Fence Removal F. 8.7 md Traverse O'Ne-m New Fence, 340 rods* F, 43.0 md

*Ineluding old fence removal C= Contract F= Force Account md= 8 hour man days Old building sites were cleaned up on the Fischer, Yarmon, Evenson, Sixta, Hodak, Christenson, Bishop, W. Peterson and Shimek tracts in Kandiyohi County and the Jordan, Georges, Schulz, Schirmer and Grundseth tracts in Pope County. Also cleaned up were building sites on the Wehseler tract in Stearns County, the Overby tract in Lac qui Parle County and the Anderson tract in Swift County. The Wiebener and Schwarzenbach tracts in Jackson County were cleaned up while the maintenance crew was fencing in the southern counties and then leveled by contract. The Fischer, Yarmon, Olson Lake, Flann, Hodak, Peterson, Grundseth, Bishop, Christenson, Sixta, Schulz, and Larson tracts building sites were filled and leveled by a contract dozer.

Food plots were measured and marked on many different units. A total of 30 units had permanent food plot rotations in 1968 and 37 units will have them in 1969* Where suitable upland is available and nesting cover is plentiful food plots have proven to be very useful to 16a overwintering wildlife and to migrating waterfowl in the spring. Each rotation system involves three 10 acre plots rotating corn, oats-alfalfa and alfalfa.

Erosion problems must be dealt with immediately to pre­ vent siltation in marshlands. ¥e have no heavy equip­ ment but many eroded areas may be rehabilitated by hand. The following before and during pictures involve a serious gully erosion that threatened the longevity of a marsh.

Gully Erosion Problem on Randall Unit, Kandiyohi County 68, 4, 4-5, JJH 17«

Gully Erosion Control by Motzko and Kelson on Randall Unit, Kandiyohi County, 68, 6, 5-1, JJH Although gully erosion isn't wide spread among management areas the problem is serious. Some units receive silt from neighboring lands and wie. can't deal directly with the problem as if it were on our own land. Buffer strips in such cases are being used to attempt to de- silt entering water. Some neighbors may be encouraged to apply pre­ ventive practices on their own land to control the erosion.

Two small buildings on the Artichoke Unit that were old and unused were burned and the foundations leveled by hand. The barricade on the Heidebrink access road was improved and completed. Survey cor­ ners were marked on dozens of units. Safety reflectors were placed on the inside of all doors on the outside bottom corner. The shop was reorganized and storage areas were built. Two loads of gravel were placed in a low spot on a boundary trail on the Christenson Unit in Kandiyohi County, The plugging of a ditch and restoration of a marsh resulted in the soaking of the trail which was used by a neighbor. Although we do not use the trail vie are apparently liable to leave it passable. The neighbor was assured that we are not going to maintain the trail with further gravel and brush clearing for his private use. 18.

Approximately 89 miles of boundary posting was completed prior to the hunting season. Included were 79 separate units and 99 tracts. Many of the posting projects involve boundary re- posting because of the addition of a new tract to a unit. The Benson Vetland Management District had 193 units posted and open to public hunting in 1968 which totaled 26,922 acres. This compares with 147 units in I967 totaling 21,000 acres.

Ditch plugging plans in the fall were interrupted by extreme moisture conditions. It was impossible to work a dozer and blade in most of the moist ditch bottom. We managed to get ten ditch plugs constructed and one tile line destroyed by contract just before freeze-up. Three small plugs were con­ structed by hand during the summer.

Those tracts that weren't boundary surveyed during acquisition were measured and marked by the maintenance men. These lines are arbitrary but the best available presently. Minor main­ tenance on all vehicles was completed in the shop. The lack of detailed equipment prevents major repairs by force account.

B. Plantings Including Soil and Moisture Activity

1. Trees and Shrubs The shrub planting on the Olson Lake Unit was cultivated by the Minnesota Conservation Department. Replants were also made to fill the gaps. These snow-catch and upland game cover plantings have wide adaptability. When we solve the maintenance factor and cost problems in caring for woody plantings we'll find that a large number of units could be made into even better wildlife areas through use of these plantings.

2. Grasslands A total of 1,668 acres of retired cropland was seeded down to small grain and alfalfa. This was accomplished by cooperative farming agreements with 64 individual farmers. The usual arrangement was for the operator to supply all the small grain and five pounds of certi­ fied alfalfa per acre in addition to doing the field work. For this he would get all the nurse crop. We supplied alfalfa seed in the amount of five pounds per acre to be applied in addition to the operator's share. Most of the cropland involved was very marginal and will be best suited to nesting cover. Limited acreages are being established in permanent food clot rotations as 19. described below. Many additional contacts were made to determine from past landowners or operators that the land was already seeded to permanent cover. A summary of seeding activities is included in NR-8, Cultivated Crops.

It is impossible to have farmers in Minnesota seed the desirable native grasses. One look at a bag of chaffy seed and it's liable to be thrown in the ditch. A small amount of the fine seeded natives will be tried in 19^9 to at least get a few native plants in each seed-down.

C. Cultivated Crops

Upland game food plots are being established where there is a need and suitable cropland is available. Rotations in­ volving corn, small grain-alfalfa and alfalfa were used on 30 separate units in I968 and JS are planned for 1969. Ten acres are required for each of the three plots on each unit. Our share each year is one-third of the corn left standing and all the alfalfa to be plowed down. The operator on each rotation system gets all the small grain and two-thirds of the corn each year. To eliminate the problem of the operator leaving the poorest corn for our share, an alter­ nate-row harvest system has been set. The operator takes eight rows and leaves four rows alternately across the field. This has worked out nicely and even during rough winter the majority of the standing corn is available to up­ land and big game since the first few rows catch most of the . sitow. The plots are located near good winter cover and on wunits where plenty of other good nesting cover exists.

D. Collections and Receipts

1. Building Disposal Surplus real property was disposed of through bid invi­ tation in February. Seven building sites were involved and included twenty four buildings. Good response was realized as 34 bids were placed. Receipts for the buildings totaled $4084.76. Unfortunately this money is not available for needed development in the district but is deposited in the general treasury of the United States.

A total of 120 buildings have been sold by this office during the past four years for a total of $12,957<»69. It bears repeating that it's unfortunate this money isn't added to the operating account of the wetland management project or even to the bureau. 20 o

The sale of these buildings is costly and time consuming because of late removals, non-payment, poor cleanup and a lot of administrative problems. There is little choice however since we neither have the need nor the funds to maintain these buildings. Possibly a set of buildings will be purchased some day that would make a good head­ quarters or residence site.

Most of the building sites were purchased because of their proximity to the niarsh and excluding them would have offered future boundary, hunting and trespass pro­ blems.

E. Control of Vegetation Weed control through spraying and mowing x^as necessary on nearly fifty units. Time spent and value received is a very good subject for complete analysis. The future of wetlands acquisition could easily hinge on the attitude of neighboring landowners, vendors and county officials. Most of these individuals regard -weed control everywhere as an absolute must even though it is apparent that several decades of weed control has proved only one thing - - more weeds. The value to wildlife is of course negative and we find that a great many weed patches are excellant cover areas.

Aerial spraying, apparently our most efficient weed control method in view of the fact there are so many separate problem areas. 68, 34, 7-25, JCW 21.

Primary weed problems are sow and Canada thistles, leafy spurge and sunflower. The Minnesota weed laws however, list the pasque flower, phlox and smartweeds as weeds. This is usually an interesting point to bring up with weed inspectors. The pesticide applications are summarized in NR-12.

IV. RESOURCE MANAGEM5KT

A. Grazing Our philosophy and policy concerning grazing has changed very little in three years. Grazing continues to be allowed on a permit basis when not in conflict with basic wildlife management objectives and size and condition of the unit warrant such use. Grass seeding, fencing and retiring over­ grazed pastures are factors considered prior to permitting grazing on WPAs. Our goal calls for very moderate grazing from the standpoint of wildlife habitat enhancement. A minimum rate of eight acres of grass per head for a maximum five month season has remained the criterium for determining AUMs permitted on WPAs. The price of $2.00 per AUM still seems to represent fees charged in the area.

The charge and/or acres per AUM may be adjusted later as deemed necessary. Presently, we are contemplating a change in the yearling (6-18 months old) class from the breakdown of an AU. This has come about due to past difficulty in separating yearlings from adults and yearlings carrying calves. Also, calves x^rere increased in 1968 from 1/4 to l/3 AU per head. Table V reflects the magnitude of our I968 grazing program as well as totals for 196? and I966. Grazing privileges were granted on eight management xmits for the reporting period while 12 units were grazed in 196?. Three units previously grazed remained idle in I968 due to a lack of interest. The Gj erdingen Unit was opened for grazing while grazing was de­ ferred on the Edwards and Wetherall Units in I968.

A marked leveling off of the grazing program was quite evi­ dent in 1968. Farmers once thought our wetlands offered generous grazing just for the asking. However, a clearer understanding of our policies has caused farmers' interest in grazing to decline. 22.

TABLE V 1968 GRAZING PROGRAM Management Grazing Total Date of Revenue Unit & County Habitat AUM's Use Collected' Bakalyar (2), Cottonwood 64 30 5/1-9/30/68 $60.00 Elder (19), Pope 145 90 5/1-9/30/68 180.00 Evjen (8), Pope 84 42 6/1-9/30/68 84.00 Ewen (3), Jackson 138 80 6/1-9/30/68 160.00 Freese (4), Kandiyohi 120 75 5/1-9/30/68 150.00 Gjerdingen (5), Pope 45 25 5/1-9/30/68 50.00 Sonstegard (20), Kandi. 106 66.25 5/1-9/30/68 132.50 Welsh (4), Swift 176 , 110 5/1-9/30/68 220.00 1968 Totals 878 $1,036.50

1967 Totals 1.199 703.0 $1,406.00 1966 Totals 804 428.0 $856.00

•Total @ $2/AUM

Some fencing done to improve cover through grazing, Sonstegard Unit, Kandiyohi County 68, 33, 6-27, JCW 23. B. Haying

Again in 1968, haying was kept at a minimum. The destruction of habitat and setting of precedence are the main factors against it. Ttfhen possible, native hay is included in grazing units. Native and tame hay lands are retired to allow maxi­ mum nesting and escape cover as well as native grass invasion.

Haying has been used in a few cases to control weeds. The farmer is permitted to take the hay in turn for clipping the weeds, however this is geared to the best control of the weed infestation. In the future, haying may be necessary where a monotype must be opened up or other unusual circumstances exist. Restricting mowing until July 13th has discouraged farmers because the quality of hay has dropped by this time.

C. Fur Harvest

Interest in trapping on WPAs continued to show a slight in­ crease over previous years. However, this activity remained mediocre and widely scattered over the district. The es­ tablishment of a trapping plan for our WPAs is not practical or warranted at this time.

It is evident that through good public relations, interest in trapping on our WPAs has increased. One trapper stated that the success of two trapping friends on WPAs has caused him to shift his operation to include federal wetlands, . Trapping interest on our wetlands evolved from the fact that ^"neither permission nor rent is required. Also our wetlands supply prime trapping territories. Several WPAs are gen­ erally included within a trappers territory.

Realistic data for analyzing the status of the resource is difficult to obtain. This is contributed to a limited number of trappers over a widely-scattered area and in­ sufficient man-hours for conducting a survey. Once all major trappers using our wetlands have been identified, the procurement of fur harvest data may be possible.

The influence of certain factors on the I968-I969 trapping season has kept trapping success in doubt. One area fur buyer has handled only 3»000 muskrat pelts to date as com­ pared to 50,000 to date the previous season. This indicates a population decline, undoubtedly linked to the drought. Also indicative of the drought's influence is the trapped sex ratio of mink. The ratio reversed this season from the usual 4 : 3 to four females to every three males. This suggests the scarcity of mink food, primarily frogs and 24.

rats due to the drought. Recorded snow pack over the district by December 31st also exserted its effects on trapping oper­ ations. A major influence on I968-I969 trapping operations has been the sky-rocketing market price for fox pelts, while the price for muskrat pelts remained low. This has caused an increasing interest in fox trapping. Two trappers making heavy use of our ViPAs have reportedly taken 70 red fox by the close of 1968. Red fox pelts are now bringing up to $15 on the market,

D, Other Resources An interest still exists for management of bee apiaries on our waterfowl production areas. Our wetlands offer excellent yard sites with an abundant pollen supply and exclusion from disturbances. Special-use permits were issued to three bee keepers covering five bee yards. These same five bee yards were covered by permit in 1967» The charge was set at $10.00 per apiary in I968. Bee keepers state that honey production in I968 was the lowest in years due to the weather.

Bee Apiary: Paulson Unit, Pope County 68, 24, 5-1, JCW 25. V. FIELD INVESTIGATION OR APPLISD RSSEARCH

A, Wildlife Management Studies

Only one management study is in progress now, however two cooperative studies are under consideration. The two pro­ posed studies will involve waterfowl cover preference and a study to test the effects of reduced agricultural oper­ ations on waterfowl production.

1. Cooperative Nest Cover Width Study

The Benson "Wetland District, several refuges and other wetland districts are cooperating on this wildlife management study. Wildlife Management Biologist Merrill Hammond, heads the project with responsibilities for supervision and research. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is supplying research assistance.

The objectives of the nest cover width study are as follows:

Primary T) To compare dummy nest survival rates in different cover block widths. 2) To compare natural nest densities in different cover block widths. 3) To compare natural nest survival rates in different cover block widths.

Secondary W) In some samples, to compare the relative attractive­ ness of different cover types and cover densities. 5) To compare dummy nest and natural nest survival rates. 6) To determine the efficiency of the flushing device used, and of the search after haying. The Stimmler Unit was selected for use in the study. The dummy nest study phase was initiated during 1968. On June 7th, the study blocks were located and staked using the alternate A design. Then, 84 chicken eggs were placed at intervals; one to a station. The vegetative cover on the blocks ranged from thin quackgrass-thistle to heavy quackgrass.

An abstract for the overall study for this year was not made available by the area biologist in time for this narrative report. However, some results are 26.

available for the Benson District portion. Inspection of dummy nests on June 28th revealed the following re­ sults : 1) Survival successes on the blocks were: 0^ survival on the 33 foot wide block 57.7$ survival on the 99 foot wide block 34.7^ survival on the I65 foot wide block 42.3^ survival on the 330 foot wide block

2) Three fox dens on the study blocks were found inactive on June 28th. 3) Two natural blue-winged teal nests on the blocks were found molested on June 28th. However, it was not possible to determine if this occurred before or after hatching. Eggs placed on the narrower width block appeared to be more vulnerable to predation. However, results for the over-all study will be required to arrive at any realis­ tic conclusions.

B. Biological "Tinkering"

1. Banding A pre-season dove banding program was initiated during 1968. The objective was to contribute to the Bureau's nationwide banding program and the 2,000 bird quota set for Minnesota. Pre-baiting was started July 19th. On July 23rd, three collapsible funnel type traps were set. Trapping by shifting eight traps between six locations continued thereafter until August 24th, when , the operation was discontinued due to excessive repeats. A total of 264 doves were banded, while 42 of these were retrapped. Eighty per cent of the birds banded were immatures. The greatest number (177) of birds banded were trapped adjacent to our quonset-workshop near Benson. With good trapping sites already selected, additional traps available and an early start in 1969, more doves should be banded than in 1968. 27.

Mourning Dove trapping - banding, near warehouse. Swift County 68, 19, 7-28, JCW

Site where 177 mourning doves were trapped and banded, near warehouse. Swift County, Benson, Minn. 68, 17, 7-28, JCW 28.

2. Pothole Blasting

The primary objective for pothole blasting on WPAs is to test the effectiveness of this proven developmental technique for increasing the production area on small wetlands. A secondary objective is to establish demonstration areas for future reference and public relation purposes. Ten artificial potholes were created in I966, while 18 more were established in 196?. No additional potholes were blasted in I968 due to limited funds and excessive fall moisture. Although some waterfowl use occurred on most of these potholes, the 1968 drought made it difficult to analyze waterfowl acceptance. As demonstration areas near public access, they have created much interest. Several inquiries were received in I968 by individuals wanting to blast potholes on their own land in the name of conservation.

3, Records of Observations The system established in I967 for recording daily observations continued to remain in effect this year. Two separate permanent records are maintained from observations recorded in field diaries. One is a chronological listing of all observations for use in narrative report preparation. The other record is a listing of observations by counties, units, tracts and w private lands. This record will serve as a permanent historical account for individual areas.

C. Wildlife Inventory Waterfowl breeding pair and brood surveys were conducted in the Benson Wetland District for the second year. In­ ventory procedures w'ere in accordance with the Waterfowl Inventory Plan completed December 19^7. The primary ob­ jective for these surveys is to measure waterfowl pro­ duction and trends so that they might be directly related to management and developmental functions.

Survey data was submitted to the Area Biologist for statistical analysis. Results of waterfowl surveys for this district are summarized under Section II of this report. 29. VI. EASEMENT ADMNISTRATION

The 344 existing easement tracts were inspected by air this year. Flying time in a rented Tri-Pacer (@ $19./hr.) and a Piper Arrow (@ $25,/hr.) totaled 14 hours. The total expense for rental of pilot and plane was $293,00 as compared to $505,00 in I967. The more reasonable charge in I968 can be contributed to an efficient pilot, fewer possible violations involved and purchase units excluded from the examination. Chandler Flying Service out of Alexandria, Minn, supplied the pilot and air­ craft.

Aerial inspections wTere accomplished during four flights occurring on November 26th and 27th, and December 9th and 10th. Although some snow cover existed during the inspection, it did not pose a problem.

The heavy snow pack has delayed ground inspections of possible easement violations detected by air. It is suspected that very few actual violations will be found when weather conditions permit examinations. The decline in violations from I967 can be partially contributed to excessive fall moisture which re­ stricted fall burning and draining. All drainage violations in I967 were satisfactorily corrected by the landowners during the spring of I968,

Public acceptance of our easement program remains at a low ebb. Increasing land values and more emphasis on drainage has turned landowners against encumbering their lands with perpetual ease­ ments,

VII. PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Recreational Uses

Public use, that unknown factor in wetlands management is probably greater than most of us dare recognize. Total use was up about 6,000 visits over I967. As more manpower be­ comes available recreational use will be measured more specifically. Recreational use for the year is summarized in table VI, TABLE VI Bureau of sport Fisheries and Wildlife 30. Division of Wildlife Refuges Refuge name ANNUAL BENSON W.P.A, MmXHEM PUBLIC USE REPORT State MINNESOTA (This block completed by Washington Office) State Congressional Refuge Yr. Mo. District Code |0| 71 [Altai l4 1 (1-2^ code (5-7rn) m (8-11) (Card Columns) 12-13 14-18 19-25 (Card Columns) 26-27 28-32 33-3c» VISITS FOR THE MONTH VISITS FOR THE MONTH ACTIVITY Code Total Total ACTIVITY Code Total Total Number Hours Number Hours

Huntin Swimming 21 g= Big Game 01 1000 2000 50 100 Upland Game 02 Boating 22 5500 11000 Waterfowl 03 Water Skiing 23 7500 15000 Other Migratory 04 Camping 24 300 600 Bow 05 Group Camping 25 1400 2800 idling: SaltWater 06 Picnicking 26

Warm Water 07 Horseback Riding 27 80 160 150 150 Cold Water 08 Bicycling 28

Bird and Animal Calling 09 Skiing, Sledding, etc. 29 100 100 550 550

Wildlife Photography 10 Ice Skating 30 500 500 100 100

Wildlife Observation •11 Fruit, Nut &Veg. Collecting 31 10800 10800 no 210 Non-Recreational Use P ^ Training 12 32 120 240 (inspections, audits, etc.) 470 275

33 Field Trials 13 Actual Visits 31665

Wildlife Trails and Walks 14 Peak Load Day 34 5450 , Wildlife Tours 15 * Miscellaneous Non-Wildlife 35 700 960

Wildlife Scenic Veh. Rts. 16 • TOTAL VISITS

17 (35,235) Camping (related to above) 175 4200 (Report Based On - Picnicking (related to above) 18 • 125 250 193 Mgt. Units Totaling Wildlife Interpretive Center 19 26.922 Acres)

•Miscellaneous Wildlife 20 8700 16400 •

Form 3-123 •Use blank spaces to indicate the types of activities summarized (March 1968) under miscellaneous codes 20 and 33.. Code 10 - Wildlife Photography

Include here all photography occurring on the area--professional, amateur, blind use, etc.

Code U - Wildlife Observation

This category includes the general sightseeing user. It ynay involve the "windshield viewer" on some areas and walking observers on areas where trails are not designated.

Code 14 - Wildlife Trails and Walks

This would include all use of designated, self-guided trails and walk areas,

Code 15 - Wildlife Tours

All guided use would be included here--both vehicle tours and foot trail programs.

Code 16 - Wildlife Scenic Vehicle Routes

Don't confuse this category with general sightseeing. Use here refers to designated self-guided vehicle drives.

Code 19 - Wildlife Interpretive Center

This includes visitor center and office/visitor center facility use. To avoid other activity duplications, you should establish an average hour use for this category while visitors are actually in the visitor center. Once they leave the center, they will be recorded in some other activity.

Code 20 - Miscellaneous Wildlife

This category is the catch-all under wildlife-oriented uses. Those visits that do not fit any of the above activities would be recorded here. List the total number of visits and total hours and below the type of activities involved, included in this category would be fur trapping, varmint hunting, nature^tudies, girl and boy scout activities, inquiries on hunting and fishing, visits by other agency people to discuss wildlife programs, etc.

Codes 21 to 32

Includes all non-wildlife-oriented uses. Snowmobile use would be put under Code 29--skiing, sledding, etc.

Code 33 - Actual Visits

This is the actual head count category. Since most visitors will be recorded in more than one acti- ity. Code 33 will be the only place to measure individual visits. The total visits for the month includes both wildlife and non-wildlife- oriented activities.

Code 34 - Peak Load Day

List the largest number of visitors recorded on any one day during the report period.

Code 35 - Miscellaneous Non-Wildlife

Include here those non-wildlife-oriented uses that cannot be placed elsewhere. These could include; Industrial, economic, permittee, businessmen users, tower climbers, hikers, and non-wildlife inquiries.

Note:

A minimum of one hour should be used for all activities. 31. B. Fetland Office Visitors The following list actually represents the visitors to the Wetland Management Office and not to the projects. Routine visitors not listed include the Area Acquisition Office staff, Paul Wojahn, Ed Wieland, and John Scharf, MOD; A3CS Office staff; and Paul Pederson, building owner.

TABLE VII WETLAND MANAGEMENT OFFICE VISITORS Person or Group Date Purpose Harm Heidebrink, Swift Falls 1/2/68 Heidebrink Access Road Iloyd Erickson, Kerkhoven 1/8/68 Excess Buildings Elmer Eutenever, Albany 1/ll/68 Excess Buildings Randall Rodahl, Benson 1/15/68 Game Farming Warren Braaten, Glenwood l/23/68 Special Use Permit Walter Esplen, Spicer I/23/68 Government Signs Mike Pederson, Benson 1/25/68 Easement Development

Mr0 SC Mrs. W. Nelson, Pennock l/26/68 Excess Buildings Frank DeWees, Murdock 1/26/68 Excess Buildings Olaf Grundseth. Murdock l/29/68 Excess Buildings Floyd Neuhouse, Benson 1/30/68 Bird House Information Leonard A Morrill, Clinton 1/30/68 Building Disposal Orrin Magedanz, Clinton 1/30/68 Building Disposal Jerry Erickson, Raymond 1/30/68Buildin g Sale August Hofman, Benson 2/2/68 Building Sale Srwin Serr, Sunburg 2/5/68 Building Sale August^Ho^fman, Benson 2/5/68 Building Sale George^Winkels, Albany 2/6/68 Building Sale Anton Hanneken, Albany 2/6/68 Building Sale Bud Jonas, Albany 2/6/68 Building Sale Ray Jonas, Albany 2/6/68 Building Jale James S. Smith, Beardsley 2/6/68 Building Sale Bruce Mattson, Lake Lillian 2/6/68 Building Sale Dozer Operator, Graceville 2/8/68 Building Sale Erwin Serr, Sunburg 2/8/68 Building Sale Leon Cobb, Willmar 2/23/68 Building & Junk Disposal Tony Voellen, Starbuck 2/23/68 Building Sale Leonard Strand, Benson 2/27/68 Building Sale Don Jorgenson, Clinton 2/27/68 Tree Planting Curtis Proder, Donnelly 3/6/68 L. F. Land Floyd Anderson, Lowry 3/6/68 Grazing Mr. Walsher, Sunburg 3/6/68 Aasen Unit Plugs Stanton J. Nelson, Starbuck 3/7/68 Crop Allotment Albert Overby, Terrace 3/12/68 Selling Marshland Walter Boyle, Auditor-Pope Co. 3/15/68 Refuge Rev. Sharing Act Harry Jagow, Holloway 3/15/68 Drainage WPA Art Webber, Melrose 3/19/68 Building Disposal 32.

Tony Webber, Sauk Centre 3/19/68 Fencing and Grazing Dick Lane, Graceville 3/20/68 Easement Violation Mrs. Louis Elder, Hancock 3/25/68 Grazing Harris Gjerdingen, Benson 3/25/68 Grazing Kenneth Hacker, Canby 3/25/68 Fencing WPA Ralph Brenden, Glenwood 3/26/68 Fencing Floyd Guyott, Sunburg 3/29/68 Fencing Eugene Struck, Donnelly 4/l/68 Seeding Mrs. Feeken, Willmar 4/l/68 Building Sale Orville Koosman, Appleton 4/3/68 Food Plot Rotation Mrs. Louis Elder, Hancock 4/8/68 Grazing Harris Gjerdingen, Starbuck 4/8/68 Grazing Larry Hegreberg, Spicer 4/15/68 Bee Permit Louis Elder, Hancock 4/18/68 Grazing Floyd Guyott, Pennock 4/22/68 Fencing Ralph Brenden, Glenwood 4/22/68 Fence Removal Thov Svingen, Benson 4/23/68 Easement Development Alfred Evjen, Starbuck 4/24/68 Grazing Mrs. Harris Gjerdingen, Benson 4/30/68 Grazing Floyd Guyott, Pennock 4/30/68 Fencing Material Eric Rood, Kerkhoven 5/6/68 Building Disposal Walter Johnson, Benson 5/6/68 Land Exchange Ralph Town, Lake Andres, S.D. 5/6/68 Visit - Biological Studies Norman Hagen, Cyrus 5/7/68 Fencing Siebe Wilts, Murdock 5/8/68 Building Disposal Gerhard Mitteness, Benson 5/9/68 Grazing Alfred Evjen, Starbuck 5/13/68 Grazing Ingmar Hanson, Brooten 5/16/68 Building Disposal Don Grundseth, Brooten 5/16/68 Building Disposal Wes McKay, Redwood Falls 5/23/68 Weed Inspection Mrs. Erwin Seer, Sunburg 5/27/68 Building Disposal Clinton Hinseth, Brooten 5/31/68 Building Sale Walden Nelson, Pennock 5/31/68 Building Sale Fa-. Erdman, Clontarf 6/10/68 Weed Problems Jim Nelson, Benson 6/19/68 Weed Problems Harold Anderson, Kerkhoven 6/24/68 Building Disposal Mr. Nohl, Hancock 7/2/68 Weed Spraying Cliff Boss, Dawson 7/ll/68 Weed Problems Dale Flickinger, Spicer 7/ll/68 Fencing Problems Carrol Johnson, Chokio 7/26/68 Weed Problems Ardell C. Bjorge, Minneapolis 7/26/68 Building Disposal John Harder, Kerkhoven 7/26/68 Buildings Mrs. Tony Voeller, Starbuck 7/29/68 Building Removal E. W. Angus, Willmar 7/30/68 Road Imp. Olaf Froland, Starbuck 7/31/68 Weed Mowing Richard Burns, Clontarf 8/2/68 Weed Problems Irvin Thone, Swift Falls 8/12/68Foo d Plot & Fence Post Disp. Francis Eisenreich, Murdock 8/15/68Blastin g George Gard, Fergus Falls 8/19/68 Road-Highway Co-ordination 33.

Fred Gerde, Sedan 8/20/68 Fencing Howard Sitter, Ortonville 8/21/68 Seed Down Loren L. Danielson, Correll 8/27/68 Tiling Mr. Haugen, Madison 8/30/68 Building Sale Irvin Thone, Swift Falls 9/3/68 Weed Control Cornell Peterson, Brooten 9/4/68 Building Sale L. W. Carlson, Murdock 9/10/68 Drainage James D. Johnson, St. Paul 9/ll/68 Selling Pesticides Curt Gullickson, St. Paul 9/ll/68 Selling Pesticides Bert F. Flaten, Murdock 9/12/68 Farming Richard H. Anderson, Chokio 9/16/68 Weed Control Oliver Anderson, Chokio 9/16/68Wee d Control Gerhard Mitteness, Benson 9/18/68Grazin g Don Werder, Willmar 9/19/68 Hunting Information Clarence Fread, Sedan 10/1/68 Buildings Galen Ward, Sedan 10/1/68 Buildings William Stier, Appleton 10/l/68 Boundary Markers Mr. Lubenow, Appleton 10/l/68 Boundary Markers Leslie Bruns, Morris IO/2/68 Posting Dave Swendson, Fergus Falls 10/'2/68La w Enforcement Jim Meyers, Elbow Lake 10/2/68 Law Enforcement Roy Peterson, L.Q.P. St. Refuge IO/9/68 Building Procurement Orland Anderson, L.Q.P. Refuge IO/9/68 Building Procurement Leonard Rustad, Clontarf 10/21/68 Building Removal Sidney Rustad, Clontarf 10/21/68 Building Removal Mervin Swenson, Benson 10/24/68 Road Gravel Roy Gustafson, Benson 10/24/68 Post Hole Digger Repair Larry Goggin, Benson 10/24/68 Tires Wes McKay, Redwood Falls 10/28/68Weed s Mr. Pearson, Osakis 10/28/68 Hunting Map Harvey Hoffman, Clontarf ll/29/68Fencin g Harry Klyve, Starbuck ll/29/68 Refuge Receipt Pmts. Norman T. Hagen, Cyrus 12/3/68 Snowmobiles on WPAs Rhonda Wiebold, Benson 12/3/68 Info.-Girl Scout Newsletter Leonard Rustad. Clontarf 12/26/68 Seed Down

C. Wetland Participation l/2 Contacted Stevens County Auditor re. Compliance Report Hubert 1/15 Attended Agr. Pesticides Course, Minneapolis Hubert 1/18 Attended Upper Minn. River Watershed, Ortonville Hubert 1/18 Attended RC & D meeting. Terrace Hubert and Womble 1/30 Attended Upper Watonwan Watershed meeting near Windom Hubert 3^. 2/2 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Morris Womble 2/5 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Clinton Womble 2/6 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Wheaton Womble 2/7 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Benson Womble 2/8 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Dawson Womble 2/l4 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Glenwood o ible 2/15 Attended Big Stone Refuge hearing, Ortonville Hubert 2/20 Attended County Ditch hearing, Benson Hubert 2/20 Presented program at weed inspectors meeting, Willmar Womble 2/29 Attended Upper Watonwan Watershed meeting, Windom Womble 3/11 Attended Upper Eh. River Watershed meeting, Ortonville Hubert 3/19 Participated in Willmar Sportsmen's Club meeting, Willmar Womble 3/2.6 Met with Scharf of MCD re. UMR Watershed, Benson Hubert 4/l6 Participated in Florida Lakers Protection Ass'n. meeting, Willmar Womble Vl6- 4/18 Attended Public Relations Workshop, Fargo Hubert 4/23 Planted trees on city property with Kiwanis group, Benson Hubert 4/25 Presented slide talk to Lakefield Kiwanis, Lakefield Womble 5/1 Attended Minn. Conservation Fed. meeting, Marshall Hubert 5/6- 5/10 Attended Supr. & Group Performance Course, j?argo Hubert 5/14- 5/15 Attended Northern Prairie Research Center Biological Work shop, J am e stown Womble 5/21 Attended Upper Watonwan Watershed meeting. Mountain Lake Hubert 6/7 i'-'et w/Hammond re. cover width study, Benson Hubert 6/25 Presented Wetland xtesource program to Kiwanis, Benson Hubert 35. 7/1? Met with County Eng. re. road improvements effecting WPAs, Jackson Womble 7/23 Met with Highway Depart, officials re. road improve­ ments effecting WPAs, Glenwood Womble 7/24 Attended Upper Mn. River Watershed meeting, Ortonville Hubert 8/l6 Met with Big Stone County group re. weed problems, Ortonville Hubert and Womble 9/4 Met with Big Stone County auditor re. drainage policy, Ortonville Hubert 9/18 Met with Highway Depart, officials re. road improve­ ments, Westport Womble 9/26 Toured Sherburne NWR, picked up surplus Jeep Hubert and Womble 9/30 Presented "Wetlands Resource program to women's club at Dokken's, Benson Hubert 10/2 Met with GMA. Swendson re. law enforcement, Benson Hubert and "brable 10/l6 Delivered refuge revenue checks to B.S., Stevens, L.Q.P., Traverse and Swift Counties Hubert 11/5 Met with Northern Pacific RR agent re. Grote Unit Water Control, Morris Hubert ll/6 Attended Safe Driving Course, Benson Hubert, Nelson, Schliep Haukos, Motzko and Womble ll/l9 Presented Wetlands Resource program to Brooten Lions, - ^ * Brooten Hubert ^ 12/6 Met with Northern Pacific re. Grote Unit Water Control, St. Paul Hubert 12/6 Attended Lions Club luncheon, Benson W;omble

Regular monthly co-ordination meetings with the Benson Wetland Acquisition office were attended. Manager Hubert attended regular luncheons of the Benson Kiwanis and was elected as the organization's treasurer.

D. Hunting

Hunting use seems to be the main basis for acceptance of our wetlands program. Hunters are nearly unanimous in their support. One of the only complaints heard was from a 5,4H fellow that thought the cover was too tall and dense!1

Interest and acceptance is spreading quickly along the lines of non-consumptive use. Photographers, observers, 36. school groups and others are making greater use of the areas and we are urging this type of use constantly.

The I968 waterfowl season actually amounted to the opening weekend only. Misty cool weather offered an ideal opener but high hunting pressure evidently helped the birds decide to head south. Other hunting use was considerable as pheasant hunters and archers made regular visits to many units.

Bag checks made by station personnel may be found in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII BAG CHECK SUMMARY

: 1966 ; 1967 : 1^68 Hunters checked : 109 74 : 130 Coot checked : 0 1 : 1 Ducks checked . 136 : 121 : 76 Average Ducks/Hunter : 1.24 1.63 .58 Ducks Lost-Hunters Asked 13/35 37/48 : 30/26

1 Species No. : ; No. : % No. : i

Mallard 1 45 33 24 1 20 : 17 : 22 Black ; - : - : -; — • 3 : 4 Gadwall 1 : Tr.j 1 : Tr. 1 ; Tr. Baldpate 9 : 7 ! 6 : 5 11 : 14 Pintail 7 : 5 ! 1 : Tr. 2 : 3 G. v. Teal 18 : 13 i2 3 : 19 1 19 : 25 B. ¥. Teal 22 : 16 : 48 : 40 ! 12 : 16 Shoveller : 5 : 4 ; 4 : 3 - : - TTood Duck 5 : 4 : 11 : 9 ! 6 : 8 Redhead 14 : 10 j 2 : Tr. 1 : Tr. Ring-neck 5 : 4 : - : 2 : 3 Scaup 5 : 4 1 : Tr. 1 : Tr. Mergansers - : - : - : 1 : Tr. E. Violations Game violations appeared to be more prevalent during I968. Table IX lists five cases processed while warnings were issued for an additional 12 violations. Most warnings in­ volved juveniles. All hunters included in the bag check summary were also checked for legal compliance. 37.

TABLE IX VIOIATIQFJ SUMMARY Defendant Charge Officer Action

Rajnniond J, Snyder, llinneapolis : Shooting from car: Hubert : $25/4 Roger B. Signalness, Starbuck : No lie. or stamp : Womble : $5^/0 Peter J. Rolfzen, Willmar : Improper plug : Womble : $15/4 Alf. G. Hustoft, Willmar : Unplugged shotgun: Womble : $20/4 James S. Harris, New Hope : Improper plug : Womble : $25/0 Sign shooting and snowmobile activity on WPAs continues to be major problems. During 1968, about 5^ blue goose signs were defaced. Unfortunately no culprits were caught in the act. Increased snowmobile activity on WPAs this winter is doubtless. The prohibited use of snowmobiles on WPAs has been publicized throughout the District and several warnings have been issued. However, it is evident that stronger action may be required in the future,

F, Safety

Safety meetings were held periodically. Safety literature from the regional office and several films provided topics for discussions. Safety films were obtained from the Minn. Highway Department, Aetna, GMC and the regional office. On November 8th, all members of the management staff parti­ cipated in the Bureau's defensive driving course.

- ^ Ihis station has had no lost-time accidents since its " origination. At the close of the year our record stood at 5,173 man days without a lost-time accident,

G, Payments to Counties

TABLE X PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES

County 1966 1967 1968 Big Stone $2,905.95 $3,477.93 $4,480.66 Cottonwood 204,54 249.77 6l6.ll Jackson 807,30 1,023.73 1.547.17 Kandiyohi 2,040.73 3.147.17 3,430.94 Lac qui Parle 16,91 673.11 1,028.84 Pope 1,507.43 2,489.97 2,991.38 Stearns 694.73 963.03 1,240.02 Stevens 1,942.47 2,720.86 2,857.41 Swift 1,123.25 1,490.2,6 1.536.91 Traverse 988.05 1,193.48 1,264.73 Yellow Medicine 20,27 20.27 80.27 TOTAL $12,251.63 $17,449.58 $21,074,44 38. Checks covering payments to counties under the Refuge Revenue Sharing Act were delivered to eleven counties during October. Payments in I968 and the two preceding years are noted in Table X. Publicity continued to play an important part in check presentations. County Auditors and several County Commissioners were involved in the presentations with the assistance of Area Acquisition personnel. News releases covering these payments in lieu of taxes were furnished to all district news outlets. Requests have been received from some counties for a break­ down of Federal land holdings by townships. It appears that township officials are pressuring county officials for their fair share of funds. So far Bureau involvement has been avoided due to the difficulty in compiling this sort of material for eleven counties.

VIII. OTHER ITEMS A. Items of Interest Considerable time was spent obtaining certificates of in­ spection and disclaimers for the Division of Realty.

The resource inventory using needle-sort cards was updated. Earl Orr, biology teacher at Benson High School worked on this project for about one month. Duck stamp sales at the Benson Post Office dropped slightly w this year. Stamp prices were $3-00 throughout all reporting years in the following table.

TABLE XI DUCK STAMP SALES - BENSON. MIM. Year Amount Year Amount 1963 283 : 1966 420 1964 293 : 1967 431 1965 330 : 1968 414

Mrs. Evonne Mikkelson replaced Mrs. Betty Dahl as station clerk. She entered on duty, received a career con< appointment and was promoted all in the same year. 39

Wetland Managers Jim Hubert and Jack Womble (L-R) 69. 1, 1-13, JJH

Clerk-typist Mrs. Evonne Mikkelson 69, 2. 1-8, JJH 40.

Esnpun SHOP

Maintenancemen Roger Nelson and Richard Motzko 69, 3, 1-7. JJH

Laborer John Schliep 68, 63. 12-8, JCW 41,

Laborer Dave Haukos 68, 62, 12-28, JCW A suggestion involving a portable barbed wire winder was submitted by Messi»s. Hubert, Motzko and Nelson. An aw^ard was not received but the idea is being circularized. One order for a duplicate winder has been received already. Manager Hubert received a $15 award for his suggestion of a "follow-up green sheet" whereby all bureau employees are informed of personnel changes resulting from the green sheet. The new report is called "Personnel Pointers". The idea and original monetary award was shared with Bob Personius of Horicon NWR. News releases were issued to district press and radio out­ lets. Included were articles on building sales, snowmobile prohibition, revenue sharing, sign shooting and availability of wetland maps. The semi-monthly article "WING TIPS" was originated by Jim Hubert and submitted to area newspapers. The series deals primarily with wildlife and its relationship to cover or the lack of it. Other conservationists in the area occasionally write the article. Subject matter has in­ cluded, partially, Ice Storms & Habitat, Nesting Cover, Wildlife Week, Gun Control, Purple Martins, Pheasant Seasons, Habitat Studies and Big Stone NVJR. 421

Encroachment continues, such drainage up to our line is apparently legal though it adds silt and problems to the management unit. 68, 10, 5-3, JCW

Historical items occasionally found on units worth saving but funds aren't available for restoration and protection. Wehseler Unit, Stearns Co, 68, 42, 4-24, JJH 43. Jack Womble, Roger Nelson and Richard Motzko attended bureau law enforcement training at Madison, Wisconsin for one week. Manager Hubert attended the Supervision and Group Performance course sponsored by CSC at Fargo.

Sections I, IV, V and VI of this report were compiled by Jack Womble and Sections II, HI, VTI and VTII were pre­ pared by Jim Hubert. Credit for typing goes to Evonne Mikkelson. 44.

B. Signature Page

/- 5/- 6 7 Date James^y Hubert Project Leader

PEB 41969 Date lature (R.O. Approval)

Title 3-17^8 Form NR-8 F and Wildlife Service inch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge Bflmunn wmmi miitrict County ftwuaiy - ftp 0—itoi state tt^MMii Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown ^cres 3u./Tons Acres Byu/ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Acreage

Small Grain/L©gian« 1.597 • 1.631 \ M^T- Alf.-Cmrar* 1.631

Food Plot Rotations

Cora 152 0 % 228 Small Grain/Alf. 203 0 0 203 -fsrzrxit. -aw* 2D3 Alfalfa 0 0 0 0 035— Alf. -Cover* 135

Fallow Ag. Land. 0

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations jfc Haying Operations Grazing Operations •Includes present year plantings only. ••Includes all alf. acres derived f*f«a 1963 seeddown k food plot rotations. •••Tsnant gj Previous landowner permittedjfc^lt^e-j^ for not llp^iflg peraepopt eoyer during resergation. Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number Cash ACREAGE p3BL (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue ••• Alfalfa 30 1. Cattle 138 518.25 1.036.50 878

2. Other 0 0 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation 2,197 ** Hay - Wild 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PBEPARING FORM NR—81 CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Repart Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county-when a refuge is located in more than one county or State. Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than- one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silap-e, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof. .... Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, crazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of ^reen food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column. Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. • 3-17^8 Form NR-8 F •. and Wildlife Service ^nch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 19^6) CULTIVATED CROPS HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge Bwwen Wetland ma**mmst Diatriot County Big Stone State Mtsmeseta

Permittee's Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres Bp./ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Acreage * Small Qrsdxi/lMgmm m 0 0 299 29£—~Jlf. -Cover* fmd Plot Rotabiew Com 48 0 m 72 ~n— teOl Grain/imifa 72 0 0 72 -ffc^Alf. -Cover* 72

Alfalfa 0 0 $ 0 Alf. -Cover*

Fallow Ag. Land. 0 -

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations 19 Haying Operations 0 Grazing Operations Q • this indades present jeer plantings only. »• iMfafai ^1 alf. acres deriirea froa 1968 end, food plot rfffcfl&ww Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 1. Cattle 0

2. Other 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation

Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or -utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures. 4 Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. • 3-17^8 Form NR-8 F and Wildlife Service inch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING Refuge Brnma WtlmaA QUtriet County Cttttamaeod State Minnesota Permittee's Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share 1iarveste d Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 1 3u./Tons Acres Bp*./ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage

iiif|f^lpi|tf|lMH| Small Qt&in/hqpmm 26 0 0 26 1 )6~«~*3Lf • - Cow*

• Fallow Ag. Land. i -

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations Grazing Operations 1 * fhls includes present year plantings only* Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 0 1. Cattle 24(calTes ! 3© 60.00 m

2. Other 0 0 0 o

ivation 1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult 26

Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes.

Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. 3-1758 Form NFt-8 F: and Wildlife Service r nch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. ±956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge Wetland t OUtrlat County - State Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share ]iarveste d Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres B^*/ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Acreage

Cropland Retircaent Snail Qrain/Lagtwe 0 kz • Alf. - Dover* • • plrTSi |: • Fallow Ag. Land. !

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations Grazing Operations •Thia includes present year plantings only. • •••Tsnant and prerious landowner pemittad to tafei Lng Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number AUM'S Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) •Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue •••Alfalfa 0 1. Cattle 19 80 $160.00 138

2. Other

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation 7^ • 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation Hay - Wild 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during: the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof. Government's ^hare or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. 3-1758 Form NR-8 F: and Wildlife Service r nch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. ±956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING Refu^e 9mm wmm* fc^pdiwi wm&m County ikndsjtaiii state mammA* Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share ]harveste d Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres B^./ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage

Cropland Retirement •

Saall Grain/Logurae 316 0 Q 316 316 - Alf. - Covor* 316 Food Plot Rotations • Oorn 36 0 18 5^ Small Grain/Alfalfa 27 0 0 27

Fallow Ag. Land. 0

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations 15. Haying Operations Grazing Operations 2 •This includes present year plantings only. ••Includes ell alf. acres derired froa 1968 seeddown A food plot rotations.

Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number AUM1S Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) •Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 0 1. Cattle 3a. 141.25 282.50 226

2. Other 0 0 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation 415 ** Hay - Wild e 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTION• S FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR'-S should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the' calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State. Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. • •Crop s in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee • for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures. Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting, Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown.- Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. 3-1758 Form NR-8 F: and Wildlife Service r nch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. i956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge Bmnim m&m* mstrict County UQ qui Parle State Mi rmesnta Permittee1s Governments Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres By./ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Acreage

Cropland RetiraiMttt

Snail Grain/LegfflRe 136 136 13<-«-*U. - Cow* 136

Fallow Ag. Land.

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations g Grazing Operations Q_ • Bile includes present year plantings only. ••Includes all alf. acres derired from 1968 eeeddm & food plot Hay - Improved Tons " Cash Grazing Number mi's Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 0 • 1. Cattle 0 0 0 0 2. Other 0 0 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation I36 •• Hay - Wild 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 9 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes.

Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof. —... Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or -utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column. Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cui.tivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. 3-1758 Form NR-8 Fj and Wildlife Service F nch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. -956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge County n State

Permittee's Government's Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres B^./ Ton; Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage Cropland Retireis«nt

Small Grain/Legume 224 '.&b~*rtlf. - Cover* 224 Wmd Plot Rotatloae

Com 18 9 27 -27—^ Swell Grain/Alfalfa 2? 0 27 J 9^ Alf. - Cover* 27

Fallow Ag. Land.

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations Grazing Operations *This incudes present year plantings only. **Includes all alf. sores derived fron 1968 seeddown & food plot rotation Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number AlWS Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue

1. Cattle 37 157 ! 314.00 274

2. Other 0 0 0 0 1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation 278 ** Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—81 CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge durinp; the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes.

Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report tot^l land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year.

- 3-1758: Form NR-8 F - and Wildlife Service inch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) HAYING - GRAZING CULTIVATED CROPS

Refuge Bmaoa Wetland Mnwttent District County Permittee1s Government's Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres Byiw/ Ton; Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage

Cropland Retirwaent anil Grain/Leguae 43 o 43 -43—HOf. - Cover* 43

Fallow Ag. Land. 0

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations 4 Haying Operations 0 Grazing Operations 0 mils includes present year plantings only. **InclTjdes all alf. acres derived from 1968 seeddova & food plot rotation.

Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 0 1. Cattle 0 0 0 0

2. Other 0 0 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation 43**

Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—81 CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or .utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column. Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. ; 3-i75a Form NR-8 F 'i and Wildlife Service inch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) CULTIVATED CROPS HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge County state Wmmm MIM—i mm^mumt Pigt riot mmmm&M Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share 'Iarveste d Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres Bp../ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage

• Cropland Rotirenmt

Small Grain/Logiaao 232 0 0 232 232 Food Hot Rotations

Corn 20 0 10 Small Grain/Alf. 27 0 0 27 3?W Alf. . Cover* 27 Alfalfa 0 0 0 0 Sff m Alf • « CoTsr* «7

Fallow Ag. Land. 0

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations j Grazing Operations Q_ •This includes present year plantings only* ••Includes all alf. acres derived from 1968 seeddown & food plot rotations. Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number AIM'S Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) •Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue

0 1. Cattle 0 0 0 0

2. Other 0 0 0 0 1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation • 316 •• Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. • Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof. Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. 3-1758 Form NFL-8 F I and Wildlife Service anch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) HAYING - GRAZING CULTIVATED CROPS State Minnesota Refuge jgjgl Wetland flbnag—pt Distrlet County Swift Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return ureen Manure, Cultivated Share harveste. d Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres Bp../ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Icreage Cropland Retirement

Soall Grain/Leguae 6 0 0 •6—Alf. - Cover* Food Plot Rotations

Com | 0 3 Snail Grain/Alf. 23 i 0 23 *f&rrkXx. • Cover* 23

Alfalfa 0 0 0 0 T^*lf. - Cover* 9

Fallow Ag. Land.

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations Haying Operations Grazing Operations 1 *This includes present year plantings only. ••Includes all alf. acres derived flren 1968 seeddown & food plot rotations.

Hay - Improved Tons Cash " Grazing Number AIM'S Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) •Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue 0 1. Cattle 27 no $220.00 176 •

2. Other 0 • 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation 47 •• Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' • CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

• Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes.

Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column.

Total Acreage Planted - Report all acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cuxtivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the ye$.r. •

: 3-1758 Form NR-8 F'' and Wildlife Service ' inch of Wildlife Refuges (Rev. Jan. 1956) CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Refuge WfttUnd Hawagwaant Distriot County fvmfmram State Permittee1s Government1s Share or Return Green Manure, Cultivated Share Harvested Harvested Unharvested Total Cover and Water­ Crops Acreage fowl Browsing Crops Total Grown Acres 3u./Tons Acres Byu/ Tons Acres Bu. /Tons Planted Type and Kind Acreage

Cropland Rotlraaont

Small Grain/Legume 275 0 0 275 *•# -J 275 Food Plot Rotations • >

Corn 24 0 12 36 Small Grain/Alf. 27 0 0 HV"«"*lf. - Cover* 27 Alfalfa 0 0 0 0 -ap~» Alf. - Cover* 27

Fallow Ag. Land. • 0

4

No. of Permittees: Agricultural Operations A. Haying Operations Jl Grazing Operations *Thi» includes present year plantings only. **Includes all alf. sores derived from I968 seeddown & food plot rotations, Hay - Improved Tons Cash Grazing Number AUMlS Cash ACREAGE (Specify Kind) Harvested Acres Revenue Animals Revenue

1. Cattle 0 0 0 0 0

2. Other 0 0 0 0

1. Total Refuge Acreage Under Cult ivation 365 « Hay - Wild 0 2. Acreage Cultivated as Service Operation 0 DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING FORM NR—8' CULTIVATED CROPS - HAYING - GRAZING

Report Form NR-8 should be prepared on a calendar-year basis for all crops which were planted during the calendar year and for haying and grazing operations carried on during the same period.

Separate reports shall be furnished for Refuge lands in each county when a refuge is located in more than one county or State.

Cultivated Crops Grown - List all crops planted, grown and harvested on the refuge during the reporting period regardless of purpose. Crops in kind which have been planted by more than one permittee or this Service shall be combined for reporting purposes. Permittee's Share - Only thenumber of acres utilized by the permittee for his own benefit should be shown under the Acres column, and only the number of bushels of farm crops harvested by the permittee for himself should be shown under the Bushels Harvested column. Report all crops harvested in bushels or fractions thereof except such crops as silage, watermelons, cotton, tobacco, and hay, which should be reported in tons or fractions thereof.

Government's Share or Return - Harvested Show the acreage and number of bushels harvested for the Government of crops produced by permittees or refuge personnel. Unharvested Show the exact acreage and the estimated number of bushels of grain available for wildlife. If grazing is made available to waterfowl through the planting of grain, cover, green manure, grazing or hay crops, estimate the tonnage of green food produced or.utilized and report under Bushels Unharvesed column. Total Acreage Planted - Report all.acreage planted, including crop failures.

Green Manure, Cover and Waterfowl Grazing Crops Specify the acreage kind and purpose of the crop. These crops and the acreage may be duplicated under cultivated crops if planted during the year, or a dupli­ cation may occur under hay if the crop results from a perennial planting. Hay - Improved - List separately the kinds of improved hay grown. Annual plantings should also be reported under Cultivated Crops, and perennial hay should be listed in the same manner at time of planting

Total Refuge Acreage Under Cultivation Report total land area devoted to agricultural purposes during the year. • 3-1979 (NR-12) Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Refuge (9/63) Benson etland Bu District ANNUAL REPORT OF PERSTICIDE APPLICATION Proposal Number Reporting Year 1968 INSTRUCTIONS; Wildlife Refuges Manual, sees. 3252d. 3394b and 3395. Location Total Carrier Method Date(s) of List of Chemical(s) of Area Acres Application and of Application Target Pestj(s) Used Treated Treated Rate Rate Application (1) (2) TJHIT (3) County (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) June Canada Thistle Stern - Jade son 106 2-4, D L.V.Ester Deal - 185.50 4#/Acre Water Air June Canada Thistle Sevetson - Jackson 2-4,0 L.V.Ester DeeL - 78.75 4#/Acre Water Air June Canada Thistle Sangl - Jackson 60 2-4, D L,V.Ester Deel - 105.00 41/Acre Water Air June Canada Thistle Welbener - Jackson 42 2-4, D L.V.Ester Deel - 73.50 4#/Acre Water Air June Canada Thistle laanussen Jackson 7 2-4,0 L.V.Ester Seen. - 15.00 4#/Aere Water Tractor June Leafy Spurge Thompson -Big Stone 1 Tordon Tate - 4.00 2#/Acre Water Hand July Leafy Spurge lynch L* - Swift 4 Tordon Flatsn- 68.73 2#/Acre Water Tractor July Thistles Freeman - Stevens 15 2-4,0 L.V.Ester Graff - 22.50 4#/Acre Water Tractor July Sow & Can. Thi stlefc'elker, Hoffman, DismapL Olson, J org. Art&I^mpx -Swift & B.S. 93 2-4,D L.V.Ester Nohl -186.00 4#/Acre •'~-ter Air

July Sow & Can.Thistl«SehvvHinnsnan-Jaok« 12 2-4tD L.V.Ester Deel - 21.00 4#/Acre ' ter Air July Sow & Can.Thistli Eak.Eck -Cottonwood 34 2-4, D L.V.Ester Deal - 59.50 4#/Acre Water Air July Sow & Can. Thistlt 3chu, DeQr,Rey, Shimei Flann, Fischer, Hodak - Kandiyohi 173 2-4.D L.V.Ester -eel 302.75 4#/Acre Trater Air July Sow & Can .Thistle Senna, CostsUo-Steex 39 2-4,0 L.V.Ester 68.25 4#/Acre Water Air July Sew it Can.Thistli 3redburg,£rosh-Pope 118 2-4,0 L.V.Ester Deel 206.50 4#/Acre ^ter Air

July Sow & Can. Thi stl« Barryf Lind. L., S; enson - Big Stone 4 2-4.0 L.V.Ester Force Account 4#/Acre Plater fan! July Sow k Can.Thistli Swenson - Swift 2 2-4,D L.V.Ester Force Account 4#/Acre XJater :Iand July 10. Summary of results (continue on reverse side, if necessary)

35 500 Legion flights of waterfowl once the years following the Civil War. darkened the sky in spring and Between 1870 and 1930, farm fall. But no more. More than crops followed the ditch and tile half the nesting range of ducks into those wetlands which were in the prairie pothole country of Provide the most favorable conditions for duck production as is economically the easiest and the cheapest to ^^'p feasible. the United States has been de­ drain. The pell mell destruction stroyed by drainage, leveling and of wetlands took pause tempo- *^Lf filling, and the ducks and all Be developed and managed for unique and threatened plants and animals. ers re rarily in the 1930's when one Americans have lost as a result. treated northward across the of history's severest drouths Provide a controllable area of land as a basic nucleus for natural resource Much of the prairie wetland caused us to hoard our precious northern plains and the high planning by public and private organizations. country was put to the plow in water supply. winds swept the central plains, Be dedicated to better public understanding and appreciation of fish and nillions of depressions were left Following World War II, the impetus for record crop production brought wildlife conservation. drainage into the pothole country in gigantic proportions. Many more >n the landscape. These depres­ thousands of wetlands acres faced permanent, man-made drouth for Be developed and managed for nature-oriented recreational opportunity. sions now are lakes, marshes a the first time. >o tholes. Drainage was not the lone threat to wetlands and waterfowl. New highway Provide hunting opportunity for waterfowl, upland and big game. construction created ditches into which feeder canals from the nearest potholes could be channeled. The rapid rise in well irrigation, with its Provide habitat for a variety of migratory birds and other wildlife. Foday, these millions of small attendant land leveling, results in the death of wetlands through filling and pumping. Watershed districts, organized to conserve soil and water re­ Preserve and enhance natural beauty for its scenic and other esthetic values. vater areas make up the greatest sources, quite often were nothing more than drainage districts, with public THE STATES OF vaterfowl production area in These characteristics have attracted and sustained wild ducks funds once again used to destroy wetlands, a public resource. Preserve representative segments of unique habitat. MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA ^orth America, if not the world. NORTH DAKOTA, and SOUTH DAKOTA for untold centuries and without them. North America's In creating this permanent drouth, man is also destroying a great natural WITH THE wildfowl would decline rapidly. With these wetlands gone, heritage. By permitting this to happen now, he must shoulder the respon­ Fhe size, distribution and variety sibility forever. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife )f these wetlands could not have the high northern plains would become a flat, featureless )een designed more effectively expanse of grass and grain. The rainwater basin areas would Welcome you to o produce ducks. Ranging from appear as one vast farm, with the hollows filled and the hills Waterfowl Production Areas emporary sheet water ponds leveled. In the vhich last only a few days to Prairie Pothole Country »ermanent lakes, marshes and and the Without these wetlands, man's ability to use, to study and to The cause and effect of the "Dirty Thirties" reawakened the conscience of 1961 Congress authorized, under the Wetlands Loan Act, a fund of $105 leeper potholes, they meet the Rainwater Basin eeds of waterfowl for breed appreciate the complex community of marsh and pothole many Americans to the realization of just how destructive this nation had million repayable from the receipts of future sales of Duck Stamps. Thus, WATCRFOWU allowed itself to be with its once rich gift of natural resources. J. N. "Ding" the accelerated wetland habitat preservation program began. ig, nesting and migration. life would be lost. PRODUCTION AREA Darling and many other conservationists repeatedly called for action to stop our abuse of wetlands. Studies by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The program has two parts. The land acquisition program protects the in the late 1940's gave graphic evidence of the massive destruction of larger, more permanent wetlands, by putting these nucleus waterfowl brood wetlands and signalled the need for immediate constructive action. areas in public ownership. This land acquisition is In concurrence with the State. Under the second part of the program, the smaller, temporary This action took several forms: restricted hunting seasons, particularly on those duck species most critically hurt: programs to better protect brood wetlands around the nucleus areas will remain in private ownership but stock: efforts to slow down the massive drainage program: and action to will be protected by easement under which the owner agrees, for a single reserve and replace wetlands for waterfowl. payment, not to drain, burn, fill or level his wetlands. ildlife has always been an important part of the history, tradition, culture and character of American e. Wildlife is a part of America's cultural past and present; its industry of years gone by; its alth-giving outdoor recreation to active men and women; its grace and form in the natural The alarming facts disclosed by the Service's studies brought widespread Although the federal wetlands program combined with state acquisition UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR support for public acquisition of wetlands. Congress responded in 1958 programs will give permanent protection to many wetlands, this is not idscape; its mystery to the curious; its lessons in family duty and affection between mother FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE d young. by amending the Duck Stamp Act to authorize outright purchase and long- the total answer. Continued public interest in and support for wetlands BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE term easements of wetlands. However, funds were inadequate until the preservation is necessary.

What is wildlife worth?

Certainly the values are real but, in the main, are intangible. Wildlife is valued primarily WATERFOWL for esthetic reasons today and for the part mmmmNATURE STUDY Public waterfowl production areas are managed PRODUCTION it played in our earlier history. multiple use is possible because of the variety Waterfowl production area management is designed to preserve prairie flora and fauna wherever to provide the best possible conditions for AREA of land and water birds, small and big game possible. This affords school groups at all levels with outdoor classrooms where the ecological wildlife, particularly waterfowl. The public relationships of the prairie pothole country can be seen and understood. But wildlife also has great economic value; can use these areas for hunting, trapping, bird mammals, furbearers and the other plant and and wetlands, in their supporting role, are watching, sight seeing and nature study. This animal life found in these "islands of habitat." These areas also provide the solitude necessary for the serious study of this living community, as an important part of these values. Duck well as a place to just relax, watch and listen. Prairie wetlands are more than just a physical resource. OPEN hunters alone spend 387 million a year for WATERFOWL In preserving them, man preserves an important segment of his own environment and of himself. TO PUBLIC H such items as food, lodging, travel and equip­ Blue-winged teal, mallards, and other puddle ducks are the most common waterfowl found nesting ment. Other users of the wetlands resource on the publicly-owned waterfowl production areas. The ducks raised on these areas are in great HUNTING AND TRAPPING demand and usually rank high on the list of ducks found in the hunter's bag. Priority is given to spend similar amounts. Crisp autumn weather heralds the arrival of Waterfowl production areas are a bonus to the providing nesting habitat for these species, as well as food, water and cover for other migrant migrating waterfowl and other bird life and waterfowl. waterfowl hunter, not only producing much of The wild flowers, grasses, birds and other living signals that last flurry of animal activity as the the game he seeks but also affording him a place parts of the wetlands community give us the living marsh prepares for the cold and quiet of to hunt. These are free and open to hunting on winter. The autumn mood also affects the a first-come first-served basis. Hunter success sound, the color, the movement, the very pulse OTHER BIRDS The warm winds of spring also bring court­ hunter who looks forward to his role in the is often keyed to hunter behavior: that is, where of the prairie. Man, in his awareness of this The spring migration gives us the opportunity ship and nesting activities from such upland traditional sport of wildfowling. he parks his vehicle while hunting, how he living wetlands community, renews his ties with to observe many species of waterfowl, shore- game bird species as pheasants and partridge, handles f ire, how he treats the landscape. Good nature. birds, wading birds and song birds that use these and the great variety of other birds and mam­ wetlands as stopping points. Many of the marsh mals set about the annual task of producing outdoor manners usually mean better hunting and water birds find these areas, managed for and rearing a new generation of young. Food opportunities. waterfowl, to fit their needs. Watching these patches planted on adjoining lands and the birds provides many hours of enjoyment to the limitation of grazing provides food and cover Upland game birds and big game may be hunted ornithologist. for these prized game birds too. on these waterfowl production areas and fur­ bearers may be trapped without any special federal permit or fee. Such hunting and trap­ OTHER GAME MAMMALS ping must be done, however, in conformance Just about all of the myriad species of prairie wildlife use wetlands. They are favorite loafing with state regulations. places for the white-tailed deer and much of the prairie deer hunting each fall centers on wetland areas. Furbearers make heavy use of wetlands throughout the year. Both the cottontail and white- tailed jackrabbit frequent the marsh edges. Valuable furbearers, such as the beaver and muskrat, can improve waterfowl habitat but sometimes need control to prevent them from damaging dikes and other water control structures. Trapping of these and raccoon, weasel, mink, fox and other furbearers is allowed in accordance with state regulations. No federal permit is required for trapping on waterfowl production areas.

OTHER RECREATIONAL USES The outdoor American is a creature of diverse interests, many of these centered on what can be found on a wetlands area. Whether you are a photographer, an amateur botanist, an ornithologist or a youngster with a curosity to know more about the complex outdoor world, you can find answers, solace and inspiration in these wild communities. Families are encouraged to use these areas for picnics but BECKER COUNTY JACKSON COUNTY POPE COUNTY Directions From Nearest Town Acres Directions From Nearest Town Acres Directions From Nearest Town Audubon: 2 miles north. 254 miles west 285 Acres Lakefield: 2 miles south on St.Hwy.86. 554 milt* west on Co.Hwy.12 33 Brooten: a'/i miles west on Co. Hwy. 8 . . . 240 4>4 miles north on Highway 13 45 4 miles south on St.Hwy.86, 5 miles west on U.S.Hwy.16, 8 miles south 354 miles west and south on Co.Hwy. 8 . .; 353 156 miles east and 54 mile north on County 104 80 on Co.Hwy.9, 154 miles west on Co.Hwy.62 160 4 miles north .... 27 Callaway: 54 mile north on Hwy. 59, 3 miles west on Hwy. 14, 4 miles south on St.Hwy.86, 12 miles west on U.S.Hwy.16, 354 miles Cyrus: 1 mile south on co.Hwy. 3, 154 miles east .... 20 2 miles north on Hwy 13. and M mile east 680 south on Co.Hwy.3 36 2 miles north on Co. Hwy. 3, 2 miles east .... 81 Detroit Lakes: 254 miles east on Hwy. 34 gs '1 6 miles south on St.Hwy.86, 1 mile eest on Co.Hwy .68 159 7 miles north on Co. Hwy. 3, 154 miles north, 54 mile east .... 36 1 mile east on Hwy. 34, M mile south, 1 mile east 80 6 miles south on St.Hwy. 86, 754 miles west on Co.Hwy.68, Farwell: 254 miles southeast on State Hwy. 55, 1 mile north, % mile west . . . 160 1454 miles east on Highway 34 100 454 miles south 103 Hancock: 3 miles east on Co.Hwys.8 and 2, 254 miles north on Co. Hwy.1 . . . 443 154 miles south on Hiflhway 59, 354 miles west on Co. Rd. 6 32 8 miles south on St.Hwy. 86, 1 mile east on Co.Hwy.66, 54 mile south . 32 454 miles east on Co.Hwys. 8 and 2, 154 miles north, M mile east .... 55 VlOS3NNrW 'NOSNifl Lake Park: 2 miles east and north on Hwy. 9, 1 mile eatt 109 8 miles south on St.Hwy.86, 3 miles east on Co.Hwy.66, ?4 mile south 7y> miles east on Co.Hwys. 8&2&10 . . . 277 1 mile north on Hwy. 7, 54 mile east 73 on Co.Hwy. 73 [ 77 Lowry: 3 miles east on St. Hwy. 55 . . . 122 ©nuMAV 3i4tiC|iv tZ£l 1)4 miles west on Hwy. 10, 5 miles south on Co.Rd.l, 1054 miles south on St.Hwy.86. 1 mile west on Co.Hwv.4 160 454 miles west on Co.Hwy. 28, 54 mile west . . . 144 1 mile west. 454 miles south. 54 mile east 80 Wilder: 154 miles north on Co.Hwy.13, V. mile east 216 Sedan: H mile south on Co.Hwy. 29 .... 40 •^WirM GNV s3iii3Hsij mods do nvsjjng 6 miles south and southeast on Hwy. 6 89 154 miles northwest on St.Hwy. 55, 154 miles west, % mile north ... 23 154 miles west on Hwy. 10. 3 miles south on Co.Rd.1. 154 miles west . . 40 Starbuck: 1 mile north on St. Hwy. 114, 154 milos west 163 154 miles west on Hwy. 10. 5 miles south on Co.Rd.1, 154 miles east, 3 miles north on St. Hwy. 114, 1 mile west on Co.Hwy. 24, 54 mile north 34 1 mile north 754 miles south and southeast on Hwy. 5. 54 mile west 80 2 miles south on St. Hwy. 29 ... 151 2 miles south on Hwy. 5, 1 mile east. 54 mile north 60 2 miles south on St. Hwy. 29, 5 miles west on Co. Hwy. 18 . . . . 327 IK miles west on Hwy. 10, 5 miles south on Co.Rd.1. 1 mile west, 7 milos south on St. Hwy. 29, 1'/• miles east on Co. Hwy. 12, ' * ajncni 6 miles south, 54 mile east 160 Xmile south .... 36 Ogema 8 miles west on Hwy. 16, 2 miles south, 2 miles east 320 9jrniles south on St.Hwy.29, 2 miles east on Co.Hwy. 10, 3 miles south on Hwy. 59, 54 mile east 24 ... 149 1 mile west on Hwy. 16 70 KANDIYOHI COUNTY TO miles south on St.Hwy. 29, 4 miles west on Co.Hwy. 2, 2 miles west on Hwy. 16. 3 miles south on Hwy. 13, 1 mile west .... 140 1 mile south on Co. Hwy. 7, 54 mile east 66 11 miles west on Hwy. 16, 254 miles north 104 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 12 miles south on St.Hwy. 29. 154 miles east on Co.Hwy. 4, 4 miles east on Hwy, 224, 354 miles south, 154 miles east 100 Atwater: 1 mile east on U.S. Hwy. 12, 6 miles south 200 1 mile south, 1 mile oast 40 - 4 miles east on Hwy. 224, 2 mile, south on Hwy. 23 40 2 miles west on U.S. Hwy. 12. 4 miles north on Co. Hwy. 137, 12 miles south on St.Hwy. 29, 2 miles east on Co.Hwy. 4 40 Westbury; H mile west, also 54 mile south rT' 117 54 mile west on Co. Hwy. 28, 54 mile north 16 12 miles south on St.Hwy.29, 454 miles east on Co.Hwy. 4, 2 miles south on Hwv 59, 154 miles west 277 Blomkest: 3 miles east on St. Hwy. 7. 3 miles north, 54 mile east 175 1 mile south 470 Kandiyohi: 154 miles west on U.S. Hwy. 12. 254 miles north on Co. Hwy. 127. 12 miles south on St.Hwy. 29, 454 miles east on Co.Hwy. 4 66 14 mile east 185 Sunburg: 5 miles west and north on St.Hwy.104, 254 miles east. 154 miles west on U.S. Hwy. 12. 4X miles north on Co. Hwy. 127 .... 47 54 mile north 80 4 miles north on Co. Hwy. 8 60 Terrace: 1 mile east on St.Hwy. 104 107 Lake Lillian: 554 miles north on Co. Hwy. 8 487 454 miles east and south on St. Hwy. 104, 1 mile west on Co.Hwy. 8 .110 BIG STONE COUNTY New London: S mile northwest on St. Hwy. 9, 54 mile west 160 2 miles west on St.Hwy. 104, 2 miles north 104 554 miles north on Co. Hwy. 9 588 5 milos west and north on St.Hwy. 104, 1 mile west 149 Directions From Nearest Town Pennock: 1 mile south on Co. Hwy. 1 269 3 milos south, 254 miles southwest on Co.Hwy. 8 491 1 mile west on St. Hwy. 28, 54 mile north 525 5 miles south on Co. Hwy. 1, 154 miles west on Co. Hwy. 87 138 Westport: 2 miles north on Co.Hwy. 33, 154 miles west on Co.Hwy. 90 160 2 miles west on St. Hwy. 28, 1 miles south •70 2 miles north on Co. Hwy. I, 54 mile east 44 2|milos north on Co. Hwy. 33, 2 miles west on Co.Hwy. 90, 1 mile south 30 1 mile sooth on Co. Hwy. 7, 1 mile east. 54 mile south . . . 3 miles north on Co. Hwy. 1 32 3 milos south and east on Co.Hwy. 33 97 1 mile south on Co. Hwy. 7, 1 mile west. 54 mile south . . • 1\ 654 miles north on Co. Hwy.,l-^~\ 252 1 mile eest on St. Hwy. 28, 54 mile north . 18 Raymond: 1 mile south on Co. Hwy.,7, 2K ndles sast on Co. Hwy. 3 130 Beardsley 2 miles north on Co. Hwy. 51, 54 mile west . 97 1 mile south on Co. H**v. 7, 3 miliseast on Co. Hwy. 3 120 Clinton: 1 mile west on Co. Hwy. 6 . 80 1 mile south on Co. ^wy. 7, 354 miles east on Co. Hwy. 3 280 3 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6, 1 mile north 368 Spicef: 54 mile west on Co'Hwy. 10, 54 mile fawth 113 1 mile west on Co. Hwy. 96 , . ^.^-T'.'".^-r-.-r-.-r vT-." rT-. 200 3 miles wast on Co. Hwy. 6, 154 miles south . 67 H 5 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6. 154 miles north on Co. Hwy. 61 113 " • 4 miles eest 90 Co. Hwy. 10, 1 mile north on Co. Hwy. 4, 154 miles eest 25 4 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6. 4 miles north on Co. Hwy. 61 224 Sunburg: . . 3)4 miles north on Co. Hwy. 36, 1 mile east 385 STEARNS COUNTY 5 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6, 2 miles north 168 L' 3 nfiles east on St. Hwy. 9, 2 miles south 240 7 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6, 54 mile south 46 3 miles eest on St. Hwy. 9, 254 miles north on Co. Hwy. 115 209 Directions From Nearest Town Acres Brooten: 10 miles west on Co. Hwy. 6. 2 miles sooth on Co. Hwy. 3 . 31 7 miles east on St. Hwy. 9, 154 miles north on Co. Hwy. 5 280 4)4 miles south on Co. Hwy. 18, 154 miles east on Co.Hwy. 19 . . . . 160 Cold Springs: 4 miles north and west on Co.Hwy. 50, 2 milos northeast on 154 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75 2 miles east on Co Hwy. 6S miles south on St. Hwy. 104, 154 miles east 45 4 Co. Hwy. 160 1 mile north . 68 7 miles south on St. Hwy. 104, 1 mile west, 54 mile south 37 44 Elrose: IK miles north on U.S.Hwy. 71, 1 mile oast 48 154 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75 2 miles east on Co. Hwy. 4 854 miles south on St. Hwy. 104, 54 mile east 19 254 miles north on Co. Hwy. 65 107 Willmar: 1 mile west on U.S. Hwy. 12, 4 miles north on Co.Hwy.5 80 5)4 miles north on U.S.Hwy. 71 ... 240 2 milos south on U.S.Hwy. 71, 3 milos oast on Co.Hwy. 14 . . . 76 154 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 76 2 miles east on Co. Hwy. 4 1 mile west on U.S. Hwy. 12, 654 miles north on Co. Hwy. 5, 1 mile eest 3 miles north on Co Hwy. 27 JlMS Lake Henry: 1 mile eest on Co. Hwy. 130 71 . 12 4K miles east on Co. Hwy. 1 30 91 \- J 3 miles east on Co Hwy. 4 1 mile west on U.S. Hwy. 12. 1054 miles north on Hwy. 5. 154 miles east ; Rose 00: 854 miles north on Co. Hwy. 10 2 miles north on Co. Hwy 29, 1 mile south vj<«*^ .... 96 . . 200 . 32 Sauk Centre: IK milos east and north on Co.Hwy. 17 52 3 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75. 2 miles west 4 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 71. 2 miles west on Co. Hwy 86, 54 mile south 26 . 35 St. Rosa: 1 mile east on Co. Hwy. 17, 1 K milos north & oast . . . . 678 7 miles eest on Co. Hwy. 6 640 7 miles eest on Co. Hwy. 6, 354 miles sooth 236 7 miles east on Co. Hwy. 6. 3 miles south 103 8 miles eest on Co. Hwy. 6. 5 miles south on Co. Hwy. 23 142 V10S3NNIW 8 miles eest on Co. Hwy. 6, 4 miles south on Co. Hwy. 23. 1 mile eest on Co. Hwy. 8, 154 miles south . 47 9 miles east on Co. Hwy. 6 96 STEVENS COUNTY - 3 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 75, 154 miles west. 54 mile south 20 4 miles north on Co. Hwy. 2S, 154 miles eest . 67 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 12 miles north on Co. Hwy. 28, 1 mile eaet 315 3miles south on Co.Hwy. 9 , 126 Graceville 2 miles northwest on Co. Hwy. 13 . 29 LAC QUI PARLE COUNTY 2 miles south on Co.Hwy. 9, 2 miles oast , 240 3 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 75, 54 mile east on Co. Hwy. 2 49 7 milos south on Co.Hwy. 9, 1 mile east on Co.Hwy. 60, 1 mile south . . 71 Odessa i 1 mile north on Co. Hwy. 21, 1 mile west . 20 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 2 miles oast on St.Hwy. 28 . . 81 4 1 mile east on Co. Hwy. 14, 1 mile north . 90 2K miles east on St.Hwy. 28 . . 70 Boyd: 4 miles west on Co. Hwy, 2, 54 mile south 50 3 miles southeast on St. Hwy. 7 . 36 Haydenville: 1 mile north on C9. Hwy. 13 . . 130 2K miles west on St.Hwy . 28, 8 miles south on Co.Hwy. 11 . . . . , 160 154 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 12. 54 mile north 58 Madison 5 miles south onXI.S. Hwy. 75, 854 miles west on U.S. Hwy. 212, 4 miles north on Co.Hwy. 9, 1 K milos west , 129 454 miles east on Co. Hwy. 64 . 10 3 miles south afi Co. Hwy. 53 ... Chokio: 1* miles west on St.Hwy, 28, 5 miles south on 8 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 12. 3 miles north on Co. Hwy 23 . 63 . . 115 754 miles south on U.S. Hwy. 75 Cf -Hwy. 16, 1 K miles west . . 73 8 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 1 2. 1 mile north on Co. Hwy. 23, 10O 6 miles east On St. Hwy. 40, 7 miles north on St. Hwy. 40 and St. 9 miles south on Co.Hwy. 13, 4 miles west . . 10 0 0 54 mile west 232 Hwy . 119y1 mile east 10 miles south on Co.Hwy. 13, 3K milos west on Co.Hwy. 32, 13 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 12, 1 mile north on Co. Hwy. 25. Marietta: 8 miles aduth on Co. Hwy. 7, 2S miles east on U.S. Hwy. 13 130 K mile south 54 mile east . 85 9 miles south on Co. Hwy. 7 79 10 miles south on Co.Hwy.13, 3 miles west on Co.Hwy. 32, 13 miles east on U.S. Hwy. 12, 6 miles north on Co. Hwy. 25 478 1 mile south . 40 5 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75, 7 miles eest on Co. Hwy 10. 10 odles south on Co. Hwy. 7, 154 mites east 160 Cyrus: 1* mile south on Co.Hwy. 3, i mile west 138 54 mile south 1>^riiles south on Co. Hwy. 7 46 Donnelly: 2 miles north on Co.Hwy. 9, 7 miles eest on 5 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75. 7 miles east on Co. Hwy. 10, Co.Hwy, ao 379 1 mile south . 82 2 miles south on Co.Hwy 65, 1 mile west 1 , 60 6 miles north on U.S. Hwy. 75, K mile west on Co. Hwy. 62 140 2K miles south on Co.Hwy. 66 . 60 2 miles eest on Co.Hwy. 74, IK miles south 100 4 miles eest on Co.Hwy. 74, 1 mile north, K mile oast . 68 5 miles oast on Co.Hwy. 74, 3 miles north 165 mmmi 5 miles west on Co.Hwy, 18, 4K miles north on Co.Hwy. 71 .... 105 2 miles northwest on St.Hwy. 9, K mile west on Co.Hwy. 20 .... 166 CLAY COUNTY 6 miles northwest on St.Hwy. 9, 1 K miles oast 277 Hancock: K mile oast 57 MAHNOMEN COUNTY . 95 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 1 mile eest, 1 K miles south Barnesville: 654 miles eest on Hwy. 34, 154 mites southeast . . 184 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 6 miles west on Co.Hwy. 8, 3 miles south on St.Hwy. 59, 11 miles eest on Hwy 34. 1 mile south. 54 mile east ... 40 Mahnomen 4S miles east. 2 miles north, 254 miles east K mile west on Co. Hwy, 58 pjapai oi apmB jnoA . 9 Morris, Hew toy: 5 miles eest on Hwy. 10. 1 mile north. 54 mile eest . 64 454 miles eest, 3 miles north. 1 mile eest 4 miles east on Co.Hyyy, 10 212 3 miles eest on Hwy. 10. 3 miles south on Hwy. 32. 4 miles east. 105 4 miles east on St.Hwy. 28 . 38 3 miles southeast on Hwy. 59, 4K miles east on Co.Rd. 11 . . . . . 60 54 mile south ... 52 5 milos eest on St.Hwy, 28, IK milos south on Co.Hwy. 55, 754 miles east on Hwy. 31, 254 miles north on Co. Rd. 3 154 2H miles south on Hwy . 31, 54 mile eest . . 240 K mile eest 123 M 754 miles eest on Hwy. 31, 1 mile north on Co.Rd.3. 154 miles east . 72 4 miles east on Hwy. 10. 54 mile south ... 60 4)4 miles north on U.S.Hwy. 59, 2 milos east on Co.Hwy. 70 .... . 40 1 mile west, 2 miles south on Hwy 5, 1H miles south on Hwy. 10 . 16 2 miles eest on Hwy. 10, 2 miles south on Hwy. 32,1 mile east . . . 200 Waubun 9 miles north on U.S.Hwy. 69, K mile west on Co.Hwy. 20 . 84 2*. miles eest 395 Hitter da I 3 miles west .55 7 miles east on Hwy 113, 4 mttes north on Hwy 3. 54 mile west . 80 5 miles west, 1 mile north 20 5 miles north on Hwy 59. 4 miles east on Hwy. 6, 54 mile south 3 miles south on Hwy. 32 78 . 38 5 miles north on Hwy 59 2'4 miles e%ti on Hwy 6 ISO 9 mHe* snuth nr< Hwy 32, 1 mile wast, 14 miis south ...... 40. . « rrmes earr on Mwy 113. 3 miles north 01. nwy. 13 5 miles west on Hwy. 26. 2 miles south on Co.Rd.114. 54 mite eest . 80 7 miles east on Hwy. 113. 3)4 miles nsrth on Co. Rd. % . . . 90 Roilag 354 miles north on Hwy. 32. 1 mile eest 232 7 miles east on Hwy. 113. 3 miles noMh on Co. Rd. 3. 54 mil* west . 68 SWIFT COUNTY 4 miles north on Hwy. 59, K mile west on Co. Rd. 6 . 47 Sp 3 miles north on Hwy. 99. 1)4 mile west Directions From Nearest Town Acres Appleton: 7 miles southeast on St.Hwy. 7, IK miles east 164 4 miles north on St.Hwy. 119, 1 mile east . . . 98 7 miles north on St.Hwy. 119, K mile west . . 399 Benson: 4 miles northwest on St.Hwy. 9 and Co.Hwy. 20, 1 mile north, COTTONWOOD COUNTY 1 mile eest . . 515 6K miles north on St.Hwy. 29^ IK miles wast . . ,176 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 7 miles east on St.Hwy. 9, 2K miles north . . 184 Jeffers: 3 miles south on St. Hwy. 52. 3 miles east . . 196 9 miles oast on St Hwy 9 357 • • • Mountain Lake: 54 mile north on Co. Hwy 1, V4 mile eest . . . te Clontarf: 8 miles west on Co.Hwy. 22, 1 mile south ' . . . 76 Westbrook: 2 miles north on Co. Hwy. 7, 54 mile west on Co. Hwy. 24 .... m ... 40 f ' *» on Co.Hwy. 22, 2 miles south . . 120 Windom: 4 miles north west on Co. Hwy. 13, 3 miles west on Co. Hwy. 14 240 •e* * Holloway 4 mile, north on U.S.Hwy. 59, 3K miles west on Co.Hwy. 56 . . . 10 i OTTERTAIL COUNTY Kerkhoven: 416 miles north on Co.Hwy. 36, K mile eest .89 454 miles north, 1 mile oast . . . 60 Directions From Nearest Town Acres Iff*! no"h on Co.Hwy. 35, K mile eest . 56 Battle Lake: 10 miles south on Hwy 78. 2 miles west and south ISO 10>4 miles north on Co.Hwy. 36 , . . 63 . • •• • , 2 miles west on Hwy. 210. 154 miles south on Hwy. 47, 54 mile east 115 Sunburg: 3 miles north on St.Hwy. 104. 2 miles west . . . 24 2)4 miles south on Hwy. 718, 1 mite wast 285 3 miles north on St.Hwy. 104, 3 miles west . . 328 DOUGLAS COUNTY Ctitherall. 4)4 miles south on Co.Rd. 5. 1 mile east 88 Swift Falls: IK miles west .122 • e e • Directions From Nemst IMM Acres Oalton: 3 miles south and west on Hwy. 35. 114 miles north 587 IX miles north on Hwy. 36, 5 miles west and north on Hwy. 33 . . . 40 Aieoendria 4 miles eaat on Hwy. 52 . . 18 157 1 mile south on Hwy. 29, 3>4 miles mast on Hwy. 27. 1H ml . 110 3 miles southeast on Hwy. 52 . 45 Brandon: 4 miles south, 1 mile wast. % mile south I . 190 114 miles south on Clear Lake access . 40 1 mile eest j . 115 )4 miles southeast on Co.Rd. 82 166 1 54 miles northwest on Hwy. 52 M 466 3 miles southeast on Co. Rd. 82. 1 mile east EvansvMIe 254 miles west on Hwy. 79. 8 miles south on Hwy. 25. D* m . . 53 Elizabeth: 2 miles wast on Hwy. 10 • 50 TRAVERSE COUNTY 254 miles west on Hwy. 79, 654 mites south on Hwy 2* 1 m 3 miles north on Hwy 59, 2 miles west on Co. Rd. 118 25 100 Directions From Nearest Town Acres % mile south J^»?4 mile east 100 WILKIN COUNTY 754 miles north on Co Rd. 1, K mile west. K mile north . . 182 354 miles west on Hwy. 210 (pest airport I 2 miles south 205 254 miles eest on Co. Rd. 26 | 151 7)4 miles south on Hwy. 59. 1 mile west 209 Directions From Nearest Town Acres 54 mite south on Co. Rd. 1 1 . . 46 8 miles south on Hwy. 1 (Wendell Road) 2 miles west. 54 mile south 200 Barnasville 1 south on Hwy. 52, 3K mile eest 45 1 mile southeast on Hwy. 55 54 7 miles south on Hwy. 1 (Wendell Roedf. * mile west 265 2 miles south on Hwy. 52, 3K miles east 47 2 miles eest on Co. Rd. 26. S mile north . 40 10 miles south on Hwy. 1 (Wendell Road). 2 miles west H mile 46 6 miles north on Co Rd. 1. 3 miles east. 54 mHe nor* . . . . . 1* New York Mills 1 mile .•.4 miles west on Hwy. 5. 9 milos wast and south on Hwy 108, 4H miles north . 115 254 miles south on Co Hwy. 34 J . . 39 1 mile south on Mwy . 59, 114 mHos 00,1.14 mHe north . 320 J miles north on Hwy. 29 J . . 99 1 mile south on Mwy. 59. 3H miles wod • . . 71 254 miles wast on Hwy. 52. 2 miles seu9l 1 . . 93 54 mNe north on Mwy. 59. 5 mites northwest on Hwy. 9, 3)4 mil t on 554 mites north on Hwy 3. 154 miles west . . 96 Mary. 34. 2 miles north. X mile east . . 40 254 mites west on Hwy. 52. 314 miles south en Co. Rd. 3 >. 332 1 mile south on Hwy 59. 1 mile west • • 321 120 2H miles west on Hwy. 52. 514 miles south on Co. Rd- 2. / 4 milos west on Hwy 109. 3 miles north on Co ««_30 ...... 47 1 mile east. 14 mHe south l^B . . 91 2 milos east on Hwy. 14, 3X miles south on Hwy. 78 475 254 miles west on Hwy 52. 7 miles south on Co. Rd. 2 6 miles west end south on Mary. 14 . • • • • • • • . 44 r 14 mile eaat 5 miles wast and south on Hwy 14, 2 miles west on Co Rd. 32 45 1 mile east on Mwy . 132 . . 10 54 mMe wast 00 Hwy 210 150 Urtoank 254 miles wast on Mwy. 39 • • ; 120 3X mMes west on Hwy 39, 1 mile north. 54 mile west 349 V* 4 mile* east on Mwy 229. 1X miles north. X mHe northeast Orated in 1M9, the Department of fhe Inferior -- America's . . 59 GRANT COUNTY 7 miles north 254 miles ««OSt Department at Natural Resources - is concerned with fhe man- Directions From Nearest Town Acres aees^nt. coosorvatioo. and development of the Nation's water, 1 mile . . 90 fish, wildlife. Mineral, fof»ot. and park and recreational re­ 3H miles west on Co Rd 4. 1 mile south % mile eest . . . 34 3 miles southeast on Hwy 52. 3 miles south on Co R 9. 19 491 sources It slso has major responsibilities for Indian and Terri- 2 miles north on Hwy 21. 154 mites eest on M,ry 47 54 mite . . . 90 4 miles west on Mwy 9. 2H mites south on Hwy 64 .97 tonal affairs 5H mMes eaat on Co Rd 2 400 3 miles south on Hwy. 99. 1 mile eest 54 mite north 83 As the Natioo's priacipol cc rtvation afency. fhe Deportment 3 miles souths SSI on Hwy 96. 1 mMe south 190 4 miles south on Hwy 89. H mNe weet ... 130 tfcal nonrene ble resources ore developed and Elbow Lake 2 miles northeast on Hwy 4, 3 mites seal 913 54 mile south on Hwy 54, 54 mNe west 87 0* Ktioru From ^ ear ettTow Acres oaad wiaely. Aet park and recreational ivsources are conserved en*tM*^ 1 m te south on Hwy . IXmaewoatonCo Rd. 37. 4 miles eest on Hwy 79 1 mtte north on Co Rd 3« . . 93 v to, 9M hlaw. snd that renewable resources make their full 4 mttes eest on Hwv 79 330 H M He 881 itiwsl . . . 514 mite west. 54 mMe south m. X mMe west . . . . . 147 coatnbatioo to the protfoas. prosperity, and security of fhe vwte* south on Ms 9«. IXmMoswaston 00. Rd. 41 t on Hwy 9 4 miles t on Msey 6 3X •9. Uatlod Stat** now .„d ,„ the future 186 ' as We souds. IX nMN« w •ss on Co RM 41 90 454 146 r—111 sowtrwast O-n 181 u% , .... 40 8 Mctmod< • •set .... 94 3 mites north on Co. Rd eaat on Co Rd 34 » mMe nord> Ho* nortfcpn Mwt .4 1 mite weet H mHe ' . . . 320 2 mites west on Mwy 37. 14 mHe north . 98 He east on 81. flMm •out h X mite . . . • • • . . 190

3 miles east. 3 mites norm 193 •as east 0^ Mary X) 2 miles north »n Mw r. 309. 1 <«*• MM* .... 90 3 miles eaat. 1 mMe north H mtle eest 191 Mentor - 1 Ce Rd 10 eround —nn » nd east sids 4 mttes eaat on Hwy 89. 54 mde north 119 o« Maple la** 2 mllBI .... 49 7 mites seudi. H mite weet on Hwy 11 « MMite s wast on Co 4 9. 3 mMas Mutfi. » Ma weet. X mMe soul •» . . 193 4 mites seudi on Hwy If. 1 ttdMsnM « m-tassodthon Mwi ) IX mtle* weal on Mwy 41 • . . 340 R.mSe' 4H. nMas north an Mi 10. 3mHas«artMM * mr. «*• \%%nHa * north on Ms . . . 181 3 miles weal on Mwy 89. 1 « Wm^er % mM e wast X mMe n n on Co • «t Mid*'l a snoot. 3 miles eaat on Mwy 89. 4 mttes nordt on Co Ad 49 3X • wmmmmr* .... 93