POTTER OUTDOORS: Get a load of new and improved Blue Grass Fish & Wildlife Area

ELBERFELD, Ind. — It's been said there's nothing that can't be improved, especially Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area near Elberfeld, Ind.

Bluegrass was created after AMAX Mining operations concluded and subsequently deeded a fraction of the 12,000-acre area to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. While BGFW encompasses more than 2,000 acres, it's small compared to other IDNR fish and wildlife properties.

Most of Bluegrass' acreage is comprised of water that ranges from tiny potholes to almost a mile-long lake. While the fishing is good upland, game habitat has needed tweaking from the get-go. So the new property manager, Sam Whiteleather, is creating a face-lift of sorts.

His goal is to increase small game populations by implementing a series of changes, like having a full-time tenant farmer plant both dove fields and agricultural crops. The farming operations will stifle invasive weeds and grasses and enhance wildlife by sowing bird- and critter-friendly grasses and forbs for food and shelter.

"As far as regular crop plantings, only 211 acres will be devoted to this," said Whiteleather. "The farmer will create habitat edges and the waste grain will be left to help wildlife get through the winter.

"We're not doing this for the money. This is basically a trade-off between the farmer and us for his services."

The long-term goal is building sustainable quail and rabbit populations, plus creating feeding areas for visiting waterfowl and migrating songbirds. Deer and turkeys will likely respond favorably to changes, effectively increasing their numbers as well.

"This is a challenge because, while the area is basically small, it's one of the most popular. Some may see agriculture as horning in, but it isn't. Wildlife and agriculture are very compatible, provided suitable edge and field habitat exists, and that's what we're trying to create," said Whiteleather.

Next spring there may be a couple of wheat fields, planted in place of sunflowers to attract doves, quail and song birds. Look for sweeping changes on the south end of Bluegrass where currently there is too much unsuitable habitat and not enough wildlife food sources.

"Hopefully, after seeing our new management strategies, there will be organized wildlife groups step up and offer various forms of support for these changes," said Whiteleather. "We still operate on a management budget, so we welcome endowments."

Meanwhile, the new beginnings have commenced with spring planting. Don't expect instant miracles, but with time the public gem that is Bluegrass will really sparkle.

n Kentucky's regular-season turkey hunters had a bang-up beginning this past weekend as several hunters returned with big birds and tales about plenty of gobbling birds.

Illinois hunters are hearing and seeing birds, but many haven't scored. This is in part because of Illinois' license lottery system, which gives most hunters only six days to hunt.

Indiana's Youth Turkey Season (April 20-21) could stand revamping. The timing of the youth turkey hunt crowds Wednesday's opening for Indiana's regular turkey season (which runs April 24 through May 12). A better solution would move the youth hunt back at least nine days. Turkeys would respond better during both seasons, effectively increasing overall success.