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What a fun adventure to find a new hiking area! I’ve seen the sign for the Richland Bend Habitat Management Unit on my bicycle rides and decided to see what it was all about. This is an Army Corps of Engineers site, as identified by the sign but I couldn’t find much more information in my online search. I don’t think many people know about this place. I didn’t see a soul when I was on my walk.
There is no set trail but wandering wildlife trails throughout this area. I was walking through brush with the plan to make it to the shoreline so I could look across to Richland. As I walked, I saw some movement up ahead. I stopped and saw the glistening eyes and big moist nose of a white-tail deer ahead. I quietly opened my fanny pack to retrieve my camera as I noticed two more deer. They watched my every move and disappeared into the brush before I could get a picture! I guess I need to be better prepared. I tried to guess where they would go but my tracking skills need refining, no luck.
I walked out to the water and hiked the shoreline with some neat views across to Richland with Badger Mountain in the background. I noticed some tracks of small critters, maybe raccoons or muskrats. I scared up several birds including a great blue heron. I noticed some flourescent things along the shore and scavenged a couple Qwikfish lures. It was an enjoyable, quiet time just walking through the preserve. I didn’t see anyone else, a nice break from the crowds.