Refuge Update from Andrew Gude

​Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory and Cedar Key Light Station Open House during the Cedar Key Seafood Festival:  236 visitors on a beautiful day. This was the first open house in 2 years.  We look forward to working with the Chamber of Commerce to schedule more of these.

Lower Suwannee NWR Hunt Season is in full swing. Archery/Crossbow and Muzzleloader have passed and now we are into three General Gun Hunts:

1. Refuge General Gun 1:  November 6 - 14, 2021 = 9 days 
2. Thanksgiving Family/Senior Hunt/Disabled Veterans:  November 19 - 21, 2021 = 3 days     
3. Refuge General Gun 2 Happy Thanksgiving Hunt:  November 22 to November 28, 2021 = 7 days 

The Refuge works hard to accommodate this use and it shows due to its popularity.  For those non-hunters who are concerned about accessing the Refuge during a hunt, you should feel free to do so.  Simply follow these basic guidelines: 

1. If you see a vehicle parked at a gate, it's best not to walk down that road
2. When hiking off the public driving roads, it is best to wear bright colors, like safety orange or fluorescent yellow; and lastly
3. It is not wise to carry deer antlers and clack them together making it sound like two bucks fighting.  This type of noise attracts hunters. . . 

Jason is mowing the roads again after the wildflowers have bloomed.  Balancing the need to have the roads mowed whilst providing flowers for butterflies and bees is always a quandry.

George and Jason are doing a Special Project, rehabbing and improving Fishbone Creek, Dixie County access road, parking area, boat launch, and a ground-level fishing platform.  We do not yet have the funds to replace the observation deck.  Also, George finished the trenching for the new fire radio tower's electrical system and has been coordinating contractors doing the work.

Friends board members John McPherson, Debbie Meeks, Peg Hall, and John Thalacker are working with the Refuge to prepare for the eventual transfer of the Suwannee River's Vista Estate to the Refuge.  Meetings are on-going to make plans on how to raise funds to repair, maintain, and promote this historic location for public access and interpretation. Meanwhile the Refuge is working with the USFWS on the administrative side of this transfer.