Thursday, December 2, 2010

WILDLIFE IN NORWAY TWP, AND PONDS

Deer are frequently seen in Norway Twp. and a few have been found dead from bullets.  Fourteen deer spent the winter on an island north of the Norway bridge several yeas ago.  Several deer with their families have lived near the river on Roy Moore's farm south of highway 148.  Also several other deer families lived in the timbered pastures where Homer Christensen lives.  During the winter of '59 and '60 when the snow was so deep, several deer stayed with Herman Kuhn's cattle but did not eat the alfalfa hay.  When they could find a bare spot or could dig down through the snow, they ate the dry grass and also ate the small twigs from the trees.  They are often on the highways around Norway.  Not long ago a six point buck was seen south of Norway.  Deer are not much afraid of people.

Pheasants and quail are numerous this fall and they were plentiful last fall but hunting was not so good after a day or two.  After plenty of rain, shelter is available for safe hiding.  A prairie chicken is occasionally heard and a few were seen in the winter of 1960-61.  Many farmers provide shelter and food for wildlife.  Rabbits, coyotes and occasionally a timber wolf are found here, beaver and muskrats along the river and along the creeks.  At the present time there is a difference of opinion concerning the coyote.  He has champions who say he is of some benefit but most folks consider him nothing but a real pest. 

During the spring and summer of 1961, song birds were more numerous than in many years.  Red birds, orioles, blue jays, brown thrashers, meadow larks, black birds, red headed woodpeckers, a few yellow hammers, rain crows, mocking birds, starlings and a few blue birds along the river.  Pigeons and sparrows, we have with us all year.

Ponds

There are some excellent ponds in Norway Township.  Archie Brewer built and financed probably the largest pond in the township.  It is on land now owned by Joseph Brewer.  It never has gone dry and he has stocked it with several varieties of fish.

Harry Buer has a large pond on his farm on the southside of the State Highway 148 west of Norway village.  Roy Moore has several ponds in his pasture land.

Swen Larson built and financed a fine pond on the P. O. Larson estate.

Myron Reed has two good ponds on his farm east of Norway on the northside of State Highway 148.

No comments:

Post a Comment