Western Minn refuge established as part of DNR duck recovery plan

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Western Minnesota refuge established as part of DNR’s duck recovery plan, moist soils efforts
(Released August 23, 2010)


A new state game refuge established in western Minnesota as part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Long Range Duck Recovery Plan is expected to provide migrating birds with safe feeding and resting areas.

 
The North Ottawa State Game Refuge is located in northwestern Grant County and eastern Traverse County, just south and east of Tintah. Dikes constructed by the Bois de Sioux Watershed District help contain water to assist with flood control in the Red River basin.

“This refuge is one element of the DNR’s plan to enhance habitat that we hope will attract and hold a significant numbers of migrating birds,” said Kevin Kotts, Glenwood area wildlife supervisor for the DNR. “Attracting those birds is a key part of potentially increasing migrating waterfowl populations.”

Slightly more than three square miles in size, the new game refuge includes all land owned by the Bois de Sioux Watershed District within the North Ottawa Flood Control Impoundment. The impoundment is primarily managed for flood control. However, DNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are cooperating with the watershed district to provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and shore birds.

Refuge in the Making
In April 2008, the watershed district petitioned the DNR to establish a game refuge in the area. The DNR then determined that such a refuge would fit within the Long Range Duck Recovery Plan’s recommendations for a system of game refuges for safe feeding and resting areas.

Following a round of positive public input, the DNR’s Fish and Wildlife Division established the refuge in March 2009. It is now closed to all hunting; however closure was delayed due to weather and harvest issues.

The North Ottawa State Game Refuge is an example of how moist soil management is used to create and enhance habit for waterfowl and shore birds. Keeping areas that contain shallow water dry during a portion of the summer growing season promotes germination of annual plants. When those areas are flooded during the fall and following spring, migrating birds feed on the seeds and invertebrates that have become available.

“Waterfowl using the refuge will almost certainly move off the refuge to feed and use other nearby wetland areas, Kotts said.”This has the potential to create opportunities for waterfowl hunters.”