HUNTING NEAR HOMES

Q: I took my dog on a walk on the banks of the Boise River between Diversion Dam and Idaho 21.

I came across a bunch of shotgun shells and a duck decoy.

Do they allow duck hunting that close to residences (Surprise Valley), and also the wetlands reserve?

I found the shells about 800 yards downstream from Diversion Dam.

Also, there is a sign above on the Greenbelt that says the area is bald eagle habitat.

CHRIS E., via Facebook

A: I’ve heard of people hunting down there, as hard as it is to believe. It’s so close to the Greenbelt and houses.

I took a walk down there after receiving your note and found out that there is a large chunk of conservation and research land near the Idaho 21 bridge that is owned by the Idaho Transportation Department and managed for research by Boise State University.

There is some federal land in the area, too.

I saw signs prohibiting paintball, airsoft guns, camping, motor vehicles, fires and fireworks.

I saw nothing that said no hunting. Being a waterfowl hunter myself, I wouldn’t dream of hunting down there.

I don’t know how you can shoot safely with the Greenbelt, the Diversion Dam and buildings so close by.

Just because hunting technically could be allowed in an area doesn’t mean that hunting is safe.

There are other areas like this along the Boise River all the way to Star. Hunters have to use common sense.

MEDICATION FOR DOGS

Hey Zimo!

I just read your article about bird hunting and protective vests for dogs (Dec. 16).

I don’t know if you have this in your emergency kit for your dog already, but it’s highly recommended that you get it.

It’s called Vetericyn. It’s a spray that you can buy at D&B Supply or pet stores. It’s not cheap. Expect to pay around $30.

It doesn’t burn on cuts and wounds and has a cleaning and anti-bacteria effect. I believe the wound heals five times faster with this treatment.

It’s great to have because you can spray it on multiple times or flush out any cuts.

I take it camping and everywhere. It’s a miracle worker.

See vetericyn.com

CARRIE ANNE, Kuna

KELLY CREEK POND

Hey Zimo!

I read your piece this morning (Dec. 13) with great interest about rehabilitation of the Kelly Creek Pond.

I don’t know if you are aware of the history with it, but it has historical relevance to the placer mining days of Kelly Creek and Stanley Basin workings.

John Weidman worked the placers of Kelly Creek back in the 1920s and 1930s in hydraulic mining.

The pond secured water from ditches dug by the Chinese many years ago to feed the water for his hydraulic giant across the road near the Joe’s Gulch Jeep trail.

My great uncle, Martin Pollock, a mining engineer who used to visit John on occasion, at times would find his sluice running full of gold from the hillsides around his cabin.

Along the dam of Kelly Pond is a gate that let water into the pipe leading across the road, the pipe narrowed as it reached the giant, and high pressure washed the hillside.

My two boys learned to fish at Kelly Pond, as I know the area very well. Cameron, my youngest, found a raft of logs and would play Huck Finn, pushing himself about the shoreline while my older boy, Nate, was catching rainbows. Interesting spot.

I have not been up to see the Halstead Fire damage, but will this coming year.

I staked many mining claims over the area between Kelly Creek and Joe’s Gulch with my uncle in the ’80s. Lot of gold in them thar hills!

STU WILDER, email