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Show ee : The Salt Lake Tribune TRAVEL Sunday, December3, 2000 Birds Catch Their Breath At Marsh in Missouri BY DAVID SCOTT always open to hikers and provides a look at the season, “they are getting shot at, PUXICO, Mo. —Backin August, there wasn’t much going on at Monopoly Marsh. Oh, but just wait until the fall, the park ranger promised. Hiddenonall sides by the largest remaining bottomland hard- sota to the Gulf -of Mexico,” Pe- “People will still be able to see birds — that won't be a problem,” Petersen says. Any time of year, bring a pair of binocu- literally, all the way from Minne- wood timber swamp in Missouri, you can see into the marsh from an overlook that pokes out over a” hillside. There wasn’t muchto see duringa late summervisit — a few _ trees rising silently from an old ditch and a sea of wildflowers in full bloom — and hardly’ any action.That has changed, says Bernie Petersen. Monopoly Marsh, the where they are not going to be mo- lested or bothered.” The Mingo swamp was formed about 18,000 years ago when the as the birds recoverfrom thefirst the next. Located and where Stoddard, acre federal refuge for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. It's not there so humans can commune with nature it's mostly closed to Bollinger counties souri Bootheel, Mingo is a 21,676- the public during the winter, and most of the refuge is off-limits while the birds are migrating. But enoughis open duringthat timefor visitors to enjoy watching the birds, and during the summe all of the refuge is open to hiking, fishing and canoeing. There is even some hunting allowed in small sections at certain times during the year. But makeno mistake,this isn’t wait? Paul Davis/The Associated Press of $125,000 cash and lehehelens like the local park with its duck prizes " [ee ELKO But, Mahl says, it’s worth the effort to bring what you need down cludes deer, turkeys, bald eagles, boardwalk trail — it makesa perfect spot for a picnic lunch,” she you. But like any wild animal, if and three different species of ven- youstartleit, it could strike.” omoussnakes. About8,000 acres of Many visitors, especially those from universities, visit the refuge just to look for the snakes. Molly Mahl, the refuge’s public use specialist, said it’s easy to en- says. “Then drive the auto tour route. That makesfora full day.” The auto tour, which wendsits water. “It's great to kayak down the river,” she says, referring to the the refuge has been designated a “wilderness area” by Congress.In that area, which includes Monopoly Maysh, motors, powered vehi- cles and other man-made equipmentare prohibited. joy the park in a single day. Overnight stays are not allowed at As for the snakes, Peterson Mingo and the refuge closesa half- says, “As you are poking around, hourafter sunset. “First stop into the visitors you wantto watch for that. As far way through the park and along — but not inside — the wilderness area,is open on weekends in October and November. Now closed to cars, Petersen says the route is “The great blue heron will fly overhead and race you down the Heart of Euro urope [uelfeves[be's 41st annual, 15-day, escorted tour includes Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland & France Now featuring the Friday, May 18 and Monday, May 21 departures Also offering Motorcoach,tour escort, sightseeing,hotels, 25 meals, tips and all taxes. For a free brochure, call... or (406-646-7681) BEST WESTERN EXECUTIVE INN WEST YEWLOWSTONE, MONTANA ight trips laclade hotel MingoRiver, which worksits way deep into the wilderness area. $2600 pop. dbl. oce TOLL FREE 1-877-GEYSERS 975-0202 / 800-366-“0288 to Puxico and enjoy the refuge by if booked by 1/17/01 Land andair from Salt ".ake City PACKAGES. HOTEL FEATURES; HEATED POOL, HOT TUB, RESTAURANT & TAVERN tOnixas SS|S For Me tors into Mingo. as we know, nobody has beenbitten out here. Typically, those snakes will not come and bother center, and then head down to the pond. Mingo is a swamp, with a long list of inhabitants that in- 2 NIGHTS LODGING, BREAKFAST. A SNOWMOBILE PER PERSON, CLOTHING AND ONE DINNERIN OUR RESTAURANT. * ASK ABOUT DISCOUNT * 9 ovo refuge doesn’t rent ca- noes or kayaks, and Dozensof mallards taketo theair overa field at the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Puxico, Mo. Mingois a there are nolocal busi21,676-acre federal refuge for migratory waterfowl and otherwildlife, coming every fall on their way from the nesses offering guid wetlands in northem Minnesota and Canada to a winterretreat. to outfit: and take visi- - SNOWMOBILE YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY ' $4 63")PER PERSON2 Sa PACKAGE INCLUDES: LAUGHLIN/MESQUITE the fall, Mahl said her favorite thing to do at the refuge is kayak into the back areas of the swamp. This takes some initiative. The “Tf everything is just right, from about.40,000. ducks, just under a thousand geese and about30 bald eagles.” And thousands more are on the way. need a place tostop andcatchtheir breath. onesgethere,” he says. Ifyou can’t wait until part oftheir trip and get Teady for Wayne Pe to the other, ’Let’s eat this now before the big Mingo refuge, visitors can watch come together north of the Mis- Mingo, flying into camp, carried by two mosquitos. “One mosquito says From that tower overlooking Monopoly Marsh,andalong a 25mile route that winds through the managerofthe refuge. “I just went out with the biologist, and we have at tersentells the old joke about the hound dog abandoned channel. with 50- or 60,000 ducks, easily,” Petersen said in August. Last week he revised that estimate upwardto 80,000.“It’s pretty incredible.” the way, the birds, mostly Canada geese and several species of ducks, water Mississipppi River shifted to the east, leaving a dense swamp in its our perspective, we could end up wayfrom the wetlandsin northern Minnesota and Canadato a winter rétreat — sometimes heading as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. On lars or a spotting scope — and in the summer also some water — and wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. And don't forget the bug spray. With all the standing this set up that they can get in Wildlife Refuge, has cometolife, and on scale measured in tens of thousands. “The birdsare starting to move in,” says Petersen, the interim “Tt gets pretty noisy when you have 25-, 30-, 40,000 geese coming and goinglike that,” Petersen says. They comeevery fall, on their ~| tersen says. “We have places like centerpiece of the Mingo National swamp, ponds. During the waterfowl hunting THE ASSOCIATED PRESS refuge’s hayfields, forests and Cruise & Travel Masters SLC - Europe Experts - 268-4470 or 800/264-0557 You're invited to the Dec. 4, 6:30 pm “Tour Show’atouroffice. 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