Al Hansen
Well-known member
With about 9 weeks to go until our teal season begins, I, for one start planning for that exciting time to hunt. Not too far from our home is a special spot that is only good if it rains. When that happens a lot of the time the irrigation ditch in this area will be opened so that if impending rains come, the ditch won't flood over its banks. Normally with the monsoon season just winding down the timing is perfect----if you love to hunt teal.
Here is what it looked like last year just before the season opened.
Well, about 4 days ago, Bev and I jumped in the Mule and drove over to this hunting spot. All I could do is wince. What I saw made me sick to my stomach. The BLM decided to channelize the water coming from the irrigation system so that it would flow directly to the Rio. They had to level the entire area, then dig the channel. It will be a while (years) before this one has teal again. Someone once said that "Liquid Gold" was Oil. I disagree. Liquid Gold is Water down here. 2 reasons why the BLM did this: A. the silvery minnow is on the endangered specie list and if they can funnel water into the Rio in any manner, they are helping that cause B. We, New Mexico, have a signed treaty with Texas and Mexico to get them so much water each year via the Rio Grande----In someone's ultimate wisdom they thought they were making an impact by doing this.
The Rio Grande looks like this right now so I guess I just might have to rethink about the teal season.
Here is what it looked like last year just before the season opened.
Well, about 4 days ago, Bev and I jumped in the Mule and drove over to this hunting spot. All I could do is wince. What I saw made me sick to my stomach. The BLM decided to channelize the water coming from the irrigation system so that it would flow directly to the Rio. They had to level the entire area, then dig the channel. It will be a while (years) before this one has teal again. Someone once said that "Liquid Gold" was Oil. I disagree. Liquid Gold is Water down here. 2 reasons why the BLM did this: A. the silvery minnow is on the endangered specie list and if they can funnel water into the Rio in any manner, they are helping that cause B. We, New Mexico, have a signed treaty with Texas and Mexico to get them so much water each year via the Rio Grande----In someone's ultimate wisdom they thought they were making an impact by doing this.
The Rio Grande looks like this right now so I guess I just might have to rethink about the teal season.