Pauley Family Waterfowl Production Area

The Pauley Family Waterfowl Production Area is located near the Watonwan and Blue Earth County border. From Madelia, go east on Watonwan County Highway 9 for approximately 4 miles. Continue East on Blue Earth County Highway 30 for approximately two miles. Head north on township road 410 for approximately 2 miles. This new growing unit is approximately 746 acres. 

In 2016, Minnesota Valley Trust acquired the original 160 acre Pauley tract. Restoration work commenced the following year but encountered setbacks delaying the final restoration of the parcel. Ultimately, restoration was completed and this unit is a particualrily good example of properly restored habitat with excellent grass/plant diversity and a very healthy forb population. Further  restoration will be conducted on an on-going basis to maintain the excellent health of this unit. Minnesota Pheasants, Inc. partnered with Minnesota Valley Trust with funding for restoration efforts on this parcel.

In 2021 the US Fish & Wildlife Service acquired the Belgard tract of the Pauley Family WPA utilizing Duck Stamp dollars. Minnesota Pheasants, Inc. applied for and was awarded a CPL restoration grant for the restoration of this parcel. Due to residual herbicide, wetland work and planting was delayed by one year. In the interum, an annual cover crop was planted in 2022. Wetland reconstruction and grass and forb planting was completed in 2023 & 2024. The unit will need to be mowed several times in 2025 to release the new prairie grass and forb mix. Partners on this include Key Cities Conservation Club, Nicollet Conservation Club & Garden City Rod & Gun Club.

In 2023, the Minnesota Valley Trust acquired the Ramy tract as an intermediary for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Ultimately, Duck Stamp dollars were used to acquire the parcel. This 156-acre parcel, due east of the existing management areas, will be added to the growing Pauley Family Waterfowl Production Area. Minnesota Pheasants, Inc. is in the process of applying for a CPL restoration grant for this parcel. A cover crop is planned for the spring of 2025.  MPI will contract a vendor to plant the cover crop which will include 6 to 7 perennial grass species as well as self terminating cover crop seed. This will allow for soil replenishment prior to the restoration process which is planned for 2026.

In 2024, the Minnesota Valley Trust acquired the McMonagle parcels adjacent to the Ramy parcel. This new 200-acre addition will ultimately receive restoration work in the near future. This acquisition includes a larger existing prairie pothole with potential for several wetland restoration opportunities. The Ramy parcel and McMonagle parcels will likely be restored as a single unit as drainage and restorable wetlands intersect with one another. Minnesota Pheasants, Inc. will partner with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife on the restoration of this new addition in the near future.

In 2024, the Minnesota Valley Trust also acquired the Greeley tract adjacent to the southern border of the Belgard tract. This 80-acre parcel will receive restoration work in the near future to re-develop historical wetland basins and enhanced upland habitat rich in native forbs. This parcel is not available for public hunting at the moment so please avoid until signage is added.

This growing unit will offer several large and small wetland restorations along with a generous amount of native grass and forb habitat.

Below – Belgard Tract during restoration.

Below – Ramy parcel with temporary crop in the fall of 2024.

Below – McMonagle parcels fall of 2024.